There are only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the world and some of them are in Uganda. Put at its most basic, the gorillas bring in tourists who bring in vital foreign currency and create employment. Saving the gorillas means saving the rainforest in which they live.As well as helping to fund the rangers who patrol the forest, the Gorilla Organisation supports locally organised projects to improve the lives of local people and reduce their impact on the forest. One such is enabling women to construct stoves that use 60% less firewood. Another involves planting trees outside the National Park to supply the needs of villagers. A third encourages honey farming that is both gorilla friendly and more productive.
I am intending to run the Great Gorilla Marathon in Uganda where Chris and I used to live and where 3 of our children were born. Many people do energetic things for good causes. The only thing that is different about me is that I will be 69 and 4 years ago I had a minor stroke. After the race Chris and I are going to Bwindi impenetrable forest in the hope of seeing gorillas, but don't worry , that is already paid for! Sponsorship money is for the gorillas!
