In short:

Hi. My name is Sharon and I am running the Leeds Half Marathon to raise money and awareness about the Against Malaria Foundation (AMF). AMF is one of the most effective charities worldwide and their mission is to provide long-lasting insecticidal nets to people in sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria is most prevalent. Sleeping under mosquito nets is currently the most effective means of preventing malaria and each net costs just £1.40. Malaria is preventable and curable, yet this disease takes the lives of nearly half a million people each year, 70% of them children under 5 years old. I refuse to ignore their suffering, just because it is happening outside our national borders in a developing continent. Underprivileged people are still people, just like you and me, and their lives matter too. As a thank you for your donation, I will personally match every single £1 we make (up to our target). So what are you waiting for?! (FULL STORY BELOW)

(Please watch to the end :))

Full story:

My name is Sharon and I recently signed up to run the Leeds Half Marathon this May. Being relatively new to distance running and having never competed in a long distance race before, this is my biggest challenge yet. Just over a year ago, I had been suffering from severe anaemia and could barely run for a minute without feeling breathless. Following treatment, I have motivated myself to become fitter and stronger and to use my newfound strength to give something back to our world.

I am very fortunate to be living the life I am right now, having grown up in a region where the majority of malaria cases and deaths occur. Despite malaria being preventable and curable, the number of cases continues to rise and this life-threatening disease takes the lives of nearly half a million people each year. 70% of malaria's victims are just children less than 5 years old, who have barely had a chance at life.

However, I believe everyone deserves an equal chance at life and I am sure that you do too. By donating, you could be responsible for saving many lives and making a huge positive impact. The Against Malaria Foundation is one of the most effective charities in the world, which means that every single penny you donate goes directly to helping people in need of aid. And if that's not inspiring enough, I will personally match every single £1 we make (up to our target), hence doubling our efforts to save human lives.

I genuinely appreciate every single donation made, no matter how small, because I know that it will bring us one step closer to controlling and eliminating this horrendous disease.

Providing long-lasting insecticidal nets is currently the most effective means of preventing malaria and each net costs just £1.40.

(If you would like to learn more about the charity, watch this!)

Note: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, I will send your money directly to the AMF charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.