Sponsor me to run the Pennine Way

This August I am running the Pennine Way to fundraise for our Link with the Diocese of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe.

The Kingston Episcopal Area has had a link with the Diocese of Matabeleland for many years. The Link celebrates our unity in Christ, helping churches and communities in both areas to grow in friendship and in faith in God.

The Pennine Way runs some 267 miles, crossing some of the country’s wildest terrain, from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm just over the Scottish border, with nearly 40,000 feet of height gain.

I will be running it unsupported with a tent, accompanied by my faithful Border Collie, Jem.

I'm inspired to take on this challenge - running a marathon a day for 10 days - by the incredible children and teachers I met on my trip to Matabeleland last year. I'm looking to raise £30,000 to improve children's education.

The money raised will be used to build schools like the brand-new St Cecilia’s School in Lupane, still under construction, but already offering an education to local children. When I met fourteen-year-old pupil Ntokozo she said “Before we had hope, but now we have hope realised.”

St Cecilia's Secondary School, Lupane

St Cecilia's School will allow many children to attend a local secondary school without having to make long journeys to do so. Many children currently walk up to 10km to get to their nearest school, a dangerous journey leaving many, particularly girls, unable to attend. The land was cleared and a bore hole was dug by a team of local volunteers, allowing for latrines, a caretaker's house and garden, and goats! This foundation is the first step towards a vision for classrooms, dormitories, a dining hall and rectory.

My ask is for you to support my run by giving generously to the Link as a sign of our commitment to our Anglican brothers and sisters in Matabeleland.

If everyone in our churches each sponsored me £5, I would smash my fundraising target.

I set off on August 1 and there will be live updates on Instagram along the way.

Please follow me and give generously to this great cause!

Keeping Jem safe

Jem is a fit Border Collie, ideally suited to mountainous terrain. Both his parents were working sheep dogs from North Wales so he is of good stock. Taking care of Jem is my first priority. He has done all the training runs with me and copes well with long distances. We will be doing the bulk of the day’s miles first thing in the morning, starting as soon as it is light when it is cooler. I am carrying water and an extra serving of food for Jem each day although he is very good at finding surface water and streams as well. In the end, my plans are entirely flexible. We can slow down and rest as required. To be honest, when I am flagging, for Jem it is a walk in the park!

Creator God, who is present in the wind in the trees, the sun in the sky, and the rain on the earth, in Matabeleland and London, bless our Link that we may reflect your loving Trinity, in partnership, prayer and friendship, and make known your Kingdom across our communities. Amen

We invite you to make a donation to support the work of the Link and the churches and schools in the Diocese of Matabeleland. To learn more, and to follow the projects supported by your donations, go to: https://southwark.anglican.org/about-us/who-we-are/kingston-episcopal-area/

Monies donated to the Kingston-Matabeleland Link will be used to

• support projects identified by the Diocese of Matabeleland

• facilitate exchange visits

• support Link events and other means of promoting the Link

Expenditure decisions are approved by the Link Committee and reported annually. The signatories to the Link bank account are the Bishop of Kingston, the Link Chair and Treasurer.

All projects are conducted in accordance with the Diocese of Matabeleland’s safeguarding policies.