According to figures from the Department of Education and the National Statistical Coordination Board in the Philippines, 1 in 6 Filipino kids will not attend school. Further, only 7 out of 10 kids will complete elementary school. Of those 7 kids, only 4 will complete high school, and of those 4, 1 will proceed onto university.

The main cause: Poverty.

Growing up blessed with hardworking parents who have taken advantage of the opportunities which were presented to them - education has never been something we had to worry about growing up in the UK: where it's considered compulsory and almost given to everyone who yearns for it. However, the same cannot be said for children living in developing countries like the Philippines.

I want to do my part in helping children living in poverty gain the same privileges that was presented to me and the privileges that many take for granted. Being able to fund even just one student from elementary all the way to graduating college is a privilege in itself.

I will be participating in the Simplyhealth Great North Run (in Newcastle, UK) and the charity of my choice is none other than ANCOP (Answering The Cry Of The Poor). ANCOP is an organisation in the Philippines which is dedicated to providing housing and education in rural and poverty affected areas in the country. I understand that there are so many other charities that I could have raised funds for but the reason I chose this specific one is that as a Filipino living comfortably in the UK - it's hard to see and accept that the children who live in my home country aren't able to get the same support and education.

Everyone deserves to go to school and receive the knowledge and information they need to become a responsible and successful adult and any donations that you or others may have will go a long way in helping realise that goal.

Be Blessed!

To know more about ANCOP, please visit: http://cfcancop.org/our-work