On 2^nd November, 2008 I will be running the New York Marathon to help raise funds for a school in southern India.  I am hoping to run the marathon in 3 hours 30 minutes.  I have chosen to support the Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust (BGCT) and in particular its project at the BLESS School at Inungur, near Trichy in Tamil Nadu,South India. 

There is a very strong link between Chigwell School, where I am a Physical Education teacher, and the BLESS school which is named in memory of an 18 year old former Chigwell pupil, Tim Pruss, who died in a tragic accident shortly after leaving school.    Parents, pupils and staff fromChigwellSchool visit the school each year.   The BLESS school was built with money raised for BGCT mostly by Chigwell School, through such things as a sponsored walk by the pupils and substantial contributions from parents including Tim Pruss's family.   

At present BLESS accommodates over 200 children of nursery and primary school age, many from the poorest families in and around Inungur.   The educational philosophy is holistic - every dimension of the student is considered to be important.  As the children grow up, there is the need to extend the school to secondary level and to pay for equipment and the salaries of teachers, who all work for less than the customary level of remuneration.  Because of the increasing demand in this remote area for the sort of education BLESS provides, the school needs to be developed quickly.    

The Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust was inspired by the vision of the late Father Bede Griffiths (1906-1993), an English Benedictine monk who spent half of his life as the leader of the Saccidananda Ashram at Shantivanam, just a few miles from Inungur.    BLESS was founded by a protégé of Father Bede, Senthil Kumar, whose education as a teacher was arranged by Father Bede himself.   Indians are passionate about Education and know that Education is the most important force for changing lives and creating opportunities. 

Please sponsor me to help bring Education to some of the poorest children in India.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!