Update - 27th April
Very many thanks to you all for your kind support and for being so generous - we have surpassed the fundraising target by quite a distance and the total still seems be growing!
I had a really memorable day yesterday and crossed the finish line in a time of 3hrs, 55 mins and 34 seconds. Boy, are my legs sore today though! Despite that, I might just be tempted to apply for what will the first Virgin London Marathon next year!
Best wishes
Stuart
A warm welcome to my fundraising page! I am running in the London Marathon on the 26th of April and I would very much appreciate your support in raising as much money as possible for Maternity Worldwide.
Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the leading causes of death in women of reproductive age in Africa. In fact, there is a bigger gap between the Global North and Global South in maternal death rates than on any other human development measure.
I came across a very harrowing statistic recently which illustrates this gulf. In Ireland (statistically the safest country in the world to give birth), a woman has a 1 in 47,600 chance of dying from a pregnancy-related cause. In Niger, in west Africa, she has a 1 in 7 chance.
In addition to the unimaginable grief suffered by the husbands, children and families of the half a million women who die during pregnancy and childbirth each year, there is a profound effect on the socio-economic development of their community as a whole.
The aim of Maternity Worldwide, a small charity based in Brighton, is to reduce maternal deaths in developing countries by providing quality maternal health services to those communities most in need. At present, they are mainly working in Western Ethiopia, where they are responsible for running a delivery unit in a hospital in the town of Gimbie, and administering a fund to help those least able to pay for care.
The charity is now trying to extend its services to elsewhere in the region by funding three additional hospitals and associated rural clinics, which, together with improved communications and community development, will allow a population of almost five million people to have access to improved maternity services. For more information on this project and some further background on the charity, please log on to their web site – www.maternityworldwide.org
Giving birth should surely be one of the most special moments in a woman’s life, and the lives of her family, not the most tragic. That’s why I kindly ask for donations to what I hope you will agree is a truly worthwhile cause. And, if you are in the London area, why not come and support us on the 26th – it’s a great occasion to be a part of!
Donating through Justgiving is quick and secure. Your money is sent directly to Maternity Worldwide and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving will add 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, to your donation.
So please sponsor me now!
Raised:
147%
Raised so far: £735.00
|
Best of luck! Donation by Magda North on 22/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Good luck on Sunday! What a great cause. Donation by Marian on 22/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Its all in the head, go for it Road Runner Beep Beep! Donation by Ian Barham on 22/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Run Run Run! Donation by Ruth Coward on 22/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
|
|
You will nail this, no problem Donation by Mike Dowell on 21/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Go for it Stu! I'll cheer you on from the sofa (see at JUD) Donation by Sanjay Aeri on 21/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Good luck! All that Sunningdale training will pay off, I'm sure! Donation by Manuela on 20/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Good luck! I'll be there cheering so I'll look out for you! Donation by Helen Stevens on 20/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Good for you, good luck! x Donation by Wendy McLean on 20/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
good luck Donation by Graeme on 16/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
|
|
Good luck to you mate, all the best! Donation by adam w on 15/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Can I have a picture of you in your shorts and vest? Donation by Phil Burns on 15/04/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
|
|
Run Stu run....... Donation by Will P on 15/04/09 |
£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid |
|
|
Good effort mate Donation by Tim L on 15/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Lots of luck Stuey! xxx Donation by Jenny on 14/04/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
|
|
Good effort mate. I know the pain. 3:39 to beat the best Bend One In time to date... Donation by Doc on 14/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
|
|
Rather you than me Stu, best of luck. Donation by Ross Leask on 14/04/09 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
|
|
May the Force be with you :D Donation by W-Z on 13/04/09 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
|
|
Good luck Stuart. Cathy and I hope to be there to cheer you on. Donation by Peter Weatherston on 13/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
|
|
A bonus if you do a good time, but just get there, don't compromise your finishing by overdoing it Donation by (a proud) Uncle T on 13/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
|
|
£20 again if you beat 3hr30 Donation by John Helme on 13/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
|
|
GOOD LUCK! I LOVE YOU!!! Donation by Agunia on 11/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £725.00 |
|---|---|
| Offline donations: | £10.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £735.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £198.85 |
* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out
how much it is and what we do for it.