Dear Supporter

This year I am making it my personal goal to raise money for Concern Worldwide's project work in Sierra Leone by participating in the London Triathlon, and also to help raise awareness amongst the shipping community and related industries about Concern's needs, a charity I am passionate about, and which I feel has not received the support and backing that it merits for its great work in some of the world's most impoverished nations. My quest is called Progress 2008.

Life expectancy in Sierra Leone is just 41 years. 28% of children die before their fifth birthday, and between 65% and 75% of its citizens live in abject poverty. The country has suffered from years of civil war, the ravages of which have left a devastating mark on Sierra Leone's people. Many die due to lack of some of life's very basic needs, with less than half of villagers having access to safe drinking water, which often leads to cholera and dysentry.

Among just some of Concern's projects, money raised will go towards rebuilding schools, providing clean water pumps, and teaching villagers how to grow diverse crops to safegaurd against hunger and famine. Just a little bit of your support will make a real and tangible difference to the lives of many of Sierra Leone's vulnerable and impoversished. Assistance in the provision of their very basic needs could mean the difference between life and death.

However, Concern does not aim to simply give the people of Sierra Leone what they require, but rather it aims to educate and empower them to build their own infrastructure so that future generations will also learn and benefit, engendering a sense of pride, ownership, achievement and purpose.

Apart from donating on this page, you can also join me and take part in the London Triathlon to raise money in aid of Progress 2008. To find out more information please go to www.concern.net/progress2008

This is a very worthy cause, so please sponsor generously and help, or join me in this exciting and meaningful challenge.

Thank you for your time and attention.

With best wishes

Tony Foster