I have chosen to run the Exeter Half Marathon in October to fundraise for the children of Siphal Orphanage in Kathmandu ( through the charity Kushi Nepal) - and more specifically for the children once they reach 17/18 and aiding them through further studies, shorter courses to increase employment and giving them financial and emotional support as they build a life outside the orphanage.

http://www.khushinepal.org/

An example of its incredible work is for Mukesh (21 years old) who has been supported for 4 years now and finally employed in the Nepali equivalent of BT , living in his own flat and excited about his future, and his sister Sabina (18 years old) who is currently undertaking a 4 year university degree in business, living with her brother and also with real hope for her future. Sabina is in the photo above!

The work through the orphanage is changing lives, and shows that even a small donation can alter a child's future, and help give them a life that we would take for granted. Being 17 myself, a similar age to these young people, I can't imagine what it would feel like to spend my life in an orphanage and be frightened of the insecurity of my future, but with the work of this small but incredible charity and its volunteers they are able to prevent this. Our close friends helped set up the charity work in 2014 and have been to visit many times since not only to help the street kids but also to provide Kathmandu with first response fire safety and engines due to its risk of earthquakes and the lack of fire and first aid response. I am in awe of their work and hope that even the impact of a sponsored half marathon will have long lasting effects on someone's life. Changing just one life means everything to that one person.