OUR CHOICE TO SUPPORT UNICEF’S PRIORITY INITIATIVES:

Health and Nutrition… because you simply cannot have one without the other.  

“Every six seconds, a child under the age of 5 dies somewhere in the world” 

Shockingly, in 2019, 6.1 million children and young adolescents died; 5.2 million of these were children under the age of 5. Preventable illnesses including diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria are responsible for the majority of these deaths. Malnutrition directly leads to death or further complicates these illnesses resulting in premature death. 

These deaths are avoidable. Access to affordable, quality health care alongside health and nutrition education is essential.  

Anna Duffy - why I have decided to do the Marathon des Sables.

Regarded by some as “the toughest footrace on Earth”, this will be the hardest challenge I have taken on so far, both physically and mentally. I know the MdS will be nothing short of incredible, but the commitment of just getting to the start line in twelve months requires something more.  

My day-to-day life as a Paediatrician involves working with extreme premature babies weighing as little as 600g, through to teenagers bigger than myself. For some, even with one of the best healthcare systems in the world, surviving, thriving and reaching their full potential is influenced by physical, mental, social and emotional aspects.  

I have also had the privilege of volunteering in remote hospitals and community settings in both Uganda and Tanzania, where I have witnessed malnutrition, illness and death on an unacceptable scale. We know much of this is preventable with improved access to healthcare, increasing training of staff to deliver high quality care, providing life-saving medicines and health education within communities.   

Together with Dad, my goal is to raise awareness of the issues that face millions of children worldwide, every second of every day. I want to contribute to a cause that simply provides what every human should be entitled to from birth. UNICEF’S Priority Initiatives addressing health and nutrition strive to give children a fair start in life, whatever their circumstances, wherever they are.  

UNICEF says “we never give up” and neither will we. The knowledge that lives will be changed, together with the love and support from our family and friends, will carry us across the finish line. 

Arthur Duffy - why I have decided to do the Marathon des Sables. 

Throughout the world and time, childbirth, infancy, and childhood has always thrown many different challenges at individuals.  Through no fault of their own children have to try and survive the challenges and environments that they are born into. For every child, early moments matter for their own personal development. 

I have always loved seeing how people grow and develop, but the potential within every child can only be fulfilled if they make it safely through their first years. Without access to trained staff, basic medicines, and facilities, too many babies’ lives are lost.

Throughout fatherhood my own children have made me very proud of what they have accomplished and achieved in life. As a grandfather, apart from instantly being filled with love for this wonderful new-born baby, I was also overwhelmed by the vulnerability of new-born babies who are presented with a very different start in life. In the increasing knowledge that the first years of a child’s life set the stage for all future growth, this made me want to make a difference to the lives of young children.  

Therefore, I am raising funds for UNICEF’S UK international health and nutrition programmes. Their work is already proven around the world; supporting children during the most vulnerable times and helping them to grow and flourish.  

To make an awareness and meaningful financial contribution to UNICEF UK’s international programs means taking on a big challenge. While I believe that I can still tackle such a challenge, I want to push myself and complete the Marathon des Sables (250+KM or six marathons in six days in the Sahara desert). 

It will be hard, but several things will keep me going; the difficulty faced in doing this is nothing compared to what many infants and children face, UNICEF’S outstanding global work in saving lives, the love and support of my family (Una, Mike, Sophie, Jimmy and Paul) and friends, along with my daughter Anna who is joining me on the MdS.

With our family and friends support along with our own determination we hope to succeed.  

Your donation is “For every child, everywhere”, thank you.