Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Why WaterAid?

I believe that access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a fundamental human right, yet according to the UN in 2013 780 million people did not have access to clean drinking water and 2.5 billion did not have access to adequate sanitation. The consequences of these shocking statistics are that between 6 and 8 million people die every year as a consequence of natural disasters and water-borne diseases. But that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the considerable human misery that lies behind those statistics given the illnesses which many millions suffer as a consequence of inadequate sanitation and unsafe drinking water.

It is also the case that we face a global water crisis. There are simply too many people for the world's water resources. This crisis is only likely to worsen as the affects of climate change becomes more pronounced. The crisis is greatest in the developing world where WaterAid focuses its efforts. I am concerned about the deleterious effect mankind has on the natural world on which we are all dependent for our continued existence. I believe that poverty (including not having access to safe water or sanitation) exacerbates the harm people do to the natural world and therefore the alleviation of poverty by the work of WaterAid may make some contribution in at least slowing the destruction of the natural world.

Why the Paris Marathon?

As an enthusiastic amateur distance runner, taking part in the Paris Marathon is a natural progression of my running "journey" (please forgive the pun). I have run several half marathons and have a PB of 1 hour 42 and 15 seconds. This will be my first full marathon (at the age of 51). What better reason to run this marathon than to raise money for WaterAid?

I am hoping to come in below 3 hours 45 minutes. That is possible, but it will be a challenge.

Why donate?

If you believe in the work and aims of WaterAid, I hope that you will donate. I also hope that, if you are a Rotarian, this will definitely be the case.

Training Updates

I will post updates and photos on this page to keep you all in touch with how I am doing and whether a sub 3:45 is on.

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