Every Finish Line Begins with a First Step

This April, I'm lacing up my running shoes and taking on the London Marathon — my very first full marathon — to raise £75,000 / $100,000 for children who are about to take the most important first step of their lives: walking through the doors of a Christel House school.

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Why I'm Running

2026 is a pivotal year for Christel House. We're opening new schools in India and Mexico and preparing to welcome students in Colombia and Nepal. That means over 600 children will begin a life-transforming journey — and they need our support to get there.

Every early morning training run, every mile, every blister reminds me what our students face every day: challenges that demand grit, perseverance, and the belief that something better is ahead.

"Every person who supports our mission helps a child take their very first steps into school with confidence."

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What Your Donation Does

Christel House doesn't just offer a classroom. It offers full-circle care that breaks the cycle of poverty:

🎓 Quality holistic education 🩺 Healthcare 🍎 Nutritious daily meals 🤝 Ongoing guidance and family support

And here's something remarkable — 100% of your donation goes directly to students. Christel House's overhead and fundraising costs are fully funded by a private foundation established by our Founder. Every pound and every dollar you give reaches the children who need it most.

"This is how we break the cycle of poverty — one child, one first step at a time."

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Double Your Impact

Thanks to our generous campaign sponsors, your donation will be matched during our Public Matching Campaign launching in March 2026. That means your £25 becomes £50. Your £100 becomes £200. The impact multiplies — and so does hope.

Thank you to our generous campaign sponsors: Gold Sponsors—The Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation; Faegre Drinker; Don Knebel and Diane Thompson; Marion and David Harris; Veronique Harel and Steve Ross; Mark and Claudia Willis; and Martha and Ned Lamkin—and to our Silver Sponsors, The Indianapolis Foundation and KeyBank.

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The Goal

🏃 Race Day: April 26, 2026 — London Marathon 🎯 Fundraising Goal: ££75,000 /$100,000🌍 Impact: 600+ new students across 4 countries

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Run Alongside Us

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps a child walk into school for the very first time with confidence, care, and a future full of promise.

"Let's cross the finish line together."

Thank you for supporting our students.

- David Harris | President and CEO of Christel House International

🔗 Learn more: christelhouse.org 📧 Sponsorship inquiries: flouw@christelhouse.org

Christel House International is a registered nonprofit in the US and UK. To donate and receive tax benefits in the US, please visit our US fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/davidlondonmarathon-usa