Story
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 £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.
Our generous campaign sponsors include Martha Lamkin, Donald Knebel, David and Marion Harris and The Indianapolis Foundation.
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The Goal
🏃 Race Day: April 26, 2026 — London Marathon 🎯 Fundraising Goal: £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 (TBD).
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