Raised: 136%
Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £6,812.00
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My story

 

Over a quiet beer last New Year's Eve, I somehow got persuaded to get some exercise this year - more specifically to run the Comrades Marathon in South Africa. For those blissfully unaware of this event it covers a distance of 56 miles through the Drakensburg mountains from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Just to make it all a little more interesting, if you fail to cover the distance within 12 hours, they shut the gates! More information can be found on: http://www.comrades.com

I thought this would be a good opportunity to raise some money for a good cause. The two charities I have chosen both help AIDS victims in Swaziland. This small kingdom, where I spent a chunk of my childhood, has the dubious distinction of having the highest incidence of AIDS in the world together with much of the population living in severe poverty.

The Children of Swaziland support children whose parents have died of AIDS (although they themselves may not be infected) funding school fees, book and clothing. £42 will pay for a child’s school fees for a year. Although based in Wales, all the money donated goes directly to the local partner, Swaziland Positive Living.

Young Heroes has been recommended by friends still in Swaziland for their work in communities that have been ravaged by AIDS.  They aim to help keep children and their families together and bring them the crucial food, clothing and education they need.


I was particularly attracted to these charities as they are small, lean organisations meaning that a high proportion of the money given finds its way to those most in need.

Only the first charity have a Just Giving site set up, however I have agreed with them that they are going to donate 50% of the money raised to Young Heroes.

Well done Dave, great effort Donation by Jason Cheng 15/06/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Said I would double it if you finished! Donation by Richard Callard 15/06/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Well Done Dave, we were staying with your Ma and Pa watching your progress, you are a star. Donation by Barry Cowen 04/06/09  

£20.00

ooops bit late from me, well done you! Donation by Angelina Lew 03/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Better latte than never or cappuccino Donation by Steven Silvester 02/06/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Great going Mr Lomas! I'm in awe!! Donation by Katy Pugh 29/05/09  

£25.00

Very well done! !! Donation by faraidon saheb-zadha 29/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

wow - did you do it? madness! Donation by Sara A 29/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done!! Donation by Katie Blackbird 29/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

well done, sorry we were late Donation by University Partnerships Programme 28/05/09  

£2,000.00

Well Done! Donation by NWM 28/05/09  

£168.00 + £47.38 Gift Aid

Good luck - how many laps of the Oval does you training involve! Donation by Will Evans 27/05/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Keep on running!!!!!!!!!!!!! Donation by anonymous 27/05/09  

£500.00 + £141.03 Gift Aid

Donation by Bodney 26/05/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Good effort- hope you completed it Donation by Laughlan Waterston 26/05/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Well done Donation by Javier 26/05/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck - you completey crazy person! Donation by Olivia 26/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

By now it should be over, here to hoping you survived Donation by Andrew Date 25/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Just keep those legs moving big man! Donation by The guys at TRACK 23/05/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck out there Dave, very admirable - remember the cattle prod! :-) Donation by Alison Neil 22/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

A walk in the park! Good Luck David. Donation by Sandie Kirby 21/05/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

You can do it Donation by Paul 21/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

A serious bit of distance running - very impressive. Good luck Donation by Elgar Byrne 21/05/09  

£250.00

There must be a more simple way of raising money good luck Donation by peter leahy 21/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Absolute madness! Very best of luck. Donation by Victoria Bradley 21/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Great charities and a truly serious event. Good luck. Donation by Owen Clarke 21/05/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck! (nutter). Hope all those multiple breakfasts pay off! Donation by Priya 21/05/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Make sure you go to the loo before you start! Donation by Corina 21/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck !! I hope it all goes to plan - assuming you have one !! Donation by Margot 20/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Very best of luck and "hamba kahle" Donation by Chris and Sue 20/05/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £5,962.00
  Offline donations: £850.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,006.08

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.