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There are 153 million orphans worldwide. According to UNICEF (The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund), if orphans were a country of their own, the population would rank 9th in the world—ahead of Russia….

Only 1.5 percent of all orphans find a home each year…

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After finishing a dozen of half marathons and one full marathon last year, I am finally ready to run for a good cause which has given me TWO goals – to finish 42 kilometres & most importantly to help children without a home…

I was born in Jonava - a little town in Lithuania where I lived until I was 5 years old. After we moved to Vilnius I'd come back every summer to visit my grandma. I had the best summers with so many friends & very loving grandparents.

One of those summers my grandmother told me about the meaning of an orphanage. I remember thinking how heart breaking it must be not to have a mum or dad and how lucky am I to have both. The more I thought about it I learnt that love and affection was not the only thing the kids are lacking. Due to limited facilities the kids are missing out on simple joys of having their own toys, stationary items, reading books they are keen about, learning to ride a bike, sharing a laughter over a board game or simply kicking a ball with their friends on a summer day.

I know donations won't bring back their parents or give them new ones, but at least it will put a smile on their faces and allow them to share precious moments with one another, their only family. After getting in touch with Children’s Home in Jonava of around 40 children ranging age of 1 - 18, they sent me a list of what kids want & need:

(Apklausus vaikučių, labai norėtų jie šių materialinių daiktų):

1. Backpacks (Kuprinių)

2. Pencil cases (Penalų)

3. Books of fairy tales (Knygų - brolių Grimų pasakos, K. Kubilinsko pasakų, eilėraščių knygos)

4. Calculators (Skaičiuotuvų)

5. Pens (Parkerių, gelinių rašiklių)

6. Table games (Stalo žaidimų - domino ir pan.)

7. Hair straightener (Plaukų tiesintuvų)

8. Footballs & basketballs (Krepšinio, futbolo kamuolių)

9. Shoes (Batų)

10. Juicer (Sulčiaspaudę)

11. Waffle maker (Vaflinę)

12. Tennis rackets (Lauko teniso rakečių)

13. Bike (Dviratį)

14. Tablet (Plančetę)

Any support will be highly appreciated!!!Little donations as well as second hand items from the list above will be more than welcome!

I hope you will help me to complete the list!

My marathon is on the 9th September in Vilnius, Lithuania. I will go see them the next day to deliver the goods.

THANK YOU SO MUCH

(await for photos in September!!!) :)