TOM’S MARATHON SWIM!

Over 26 days, I am swimming a marathon (26.2 miles) to raise at least £3,000 for people with tuberculosis (TB) in Nepal.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

Tuberculosis is preventable and curable, but it is still the world’s leading infectious disease killer.

[A couple in a TB-affected household in Nepal that became TB free]

TB is also deeply linked with poverty. People who live in poverty often do not have enough food to eat and can become underweight. This affects the immune system and means such vulnerable people are more likely to become ill with, and in sometimes die from, TB.

It doesn't need to be this way.

As a medical doctor and TB researcher, I have worked for the past decade with Birat Nepal Medical Trust (BNMT Nepal).

BNMT Nepal is a Nepali non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people in Nepal. BNMT Nepal envisions a new Nepal where all Nepalese are aware of their basic rights and are able to live healthy and productive lives, in a safe environment without having to worry about food, income or security regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability or HIV status.

[The BNMT Nepal team celebrating 10 years in 2022]

Together, we have worked to support people with TB and their households not only with diagnosis and treatment, but also with the things that help TB-affected households to avoid worsening poverty and become healthy again, including education and food baskets.

[Education mural using Mithila art form to share important information about TB]

I am raising money because TB is curable, but cure is not only about tablets. It is also about making sure people affected by TB have enough to eat.

[A person receiving food package in Banke district, Nepal]

[A happy moment of completing TB treatment]

Your donation will help BNMT continue this vital, practical, community-based work in Nepal. Specifically, we will provide food baskets to the most vulnerable, food insecure TB-affected households in districts served by BNMT.

[Food packages ready for distribution]

[Food packages reaching people who do not have enough to eat in a related BNMT Nepal project called “Nourish”]

Thank you for your donation!

Tom