Raised: 68%
Target: £40,000.00
Raised so far: £27,064.03
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My story

 

Last November I decided to shed weight and don trainers to raise funds while marking The Esther Benjamins Trust's 10th anniversary by taking part in four 10km running events in 2009. I am aiming to raise £1 for every metre of running, giving me a fundraising target of £40,000 and prevent our important work from faltering in the face of the current economic downturn.

My first 10km event was in Hong Kong on the 8th February when I clocked a time of 58 minutes and 20 seconds, being placed 1,702 out of 35,000. I felt that wasn't bad for a dinosaur taking part in his first competitive running event. My next event was the BUPA 10km run in London on the 25th May when my time improved to 51 minutes 19 seconds. The following Sunday I took part in The Third World Run in Belfast and two records were broken - it was the hottest day of the year in Northern Ireland and a new personal best of 49 minutes 54 seconds was achieved. Now I have to aim really high for my fourth run which will be in Cranleigh, south England, on the 5th July.

I wouldn't do this if I didn't passionately believe in the impact of our work in the big picture as we take on those who traffick, exploit and abuse Nepalese children - and who thought that they could get away with it. Moreover I have seen with my own eyes the difference we have made to the lives of individual children whom I have come to know and love over the years. But don't take my word for it. Just watch Sunita speaking about what her involvement, through the Trust, in The International Award has meant to her:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MDGPIAU0FRU

Please spare a few pounds if you can at this very bleak time for the children of Nepal. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Esther Benjamins 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.

Congratulations to sponsor Wendy Osorio who won the handmade Nepalese mosaic in our latest prize draw. We will be holding a draw for another distinctive gift, a mosaic of a Nepalese bee-eater, on the 31st July for all those who have donated on or offline by that date.

For further information please feel free to e mail me on philip.holmes@ebtrust.org.uk. If you have already donated, please send this sponsorship link to a friend with a personal recommendation.

Thanks very much and very best wishes

Philip Holmes

Founder/Director The Esther Benjamins Trust

3rd June 2009

Donation by Anonymous 07/08/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Donation by K 10/07/09  

Best Wishes Donation by John Aitken 07/07/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good Luck for the last run Donation by Alison Gurden 18/06/09  

£200.00

Well done Philip. Donation by Nadia 08/06/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

bravo and bon courage! Donation by Anon 01/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck in reaching your target Donation by Gordon Ion 01/06/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

My big mouth! I should have said 45 minutes. Well done! Donation by Chris 01/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best Philip! Donation by Ruth McLaughlin 30/05/09  

£20.00

All the best for sundays run!!! We're sure you'll do just grand! Donation by Julie Graham & Jonny McLaughlin 30/05/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

My birthday top-up as promised. Good luck on 31st! :-) Donation by Bronwyn McEntee 26/05/09  

£100.00

Well Done See you on the 31st May! Donation by Debbie Johnston 23/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Elizabeth Evans 21/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck! We have many happy memories of Nepal Donation by Dave and Heather Ashman 21/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Philip Donation by Dawn and Derek Roberts 21/05/09  

£50.00

Good Luck Philip, may the sun keep shining for you! Donation by Nadia Williams 21/05/09  

£20.00

All the very best for the run! Donation by Fiona McRae 20/05/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Well done and good luck! Donation by Alice Burnett 20/05/09  

£500.00 + £141.03 Gift Aid

Bring a brolly with you! Donation by Meggy Buns 20/05/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck Philip Donation by Sarah & Matthew Greesnade 27/04/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck from a friend of Jeremy Sandle Donation by Jeremy Howes 18/04/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

our arrears! Donation by Guy & Caroline & Katie 14/04/09  

£300.00 + £84.62 Gift Aid

This is instead of a wedding present for Dave and Isabel, who didn't want anything for themselves. Donation by Steve & Claire Isherwood 12/04/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

All good wishes as ever. Donation by Alison & David Houston 10/04/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Best wishes in all you do. Donation by Jane McKears 09/04/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

my usual Lenten contribution Philip. miss your Blog! Donation by jo slogrove 08/04/09  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

Very best of luck reaching your target Donation by Jason Bevan 02/04/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Best wishes via Peter Patton Donation by Patrick and Beverley Winchester 25/03/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Your determination is commendable! Donation by Meggy Buns 25/03/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

I only wish I could do more to help you, best wises from NZ Donation by Chris O'Reilly 16/03/09  

£15.00
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* Total raised online: £14,370.00
  Offline donations: £12,694.03
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £2,762.69

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