Catriona's The Montane Lakeland 50/100 page
Catriona Rees is raising money for BAYNARDS ZAMBIA TRUST
Participants: Haydn
Story
Between the 29th and 31st July, I will be taking on The Montane Lakeland 50/100 event in the Lake District. It is a key date in the ultra-marathon calendar with around 1000 ultra-runners partaking in this gruelling challenge. Those on the 50 mile route start from the Northern end of Ullswater within the Dalemain Estate and finish in Coniston. The terrain is rough and has around 3100m of ascent. Participants have 24 hours to complete the route, with various checkpoints along the way.
This is not an obvious challenge for a reluctant runner who prefers the quiet power of yoga for exercise. However, having witnessed first hand the atmosphere, inclusivity and challenge of the Lakeland 50 and inspired by my husband who is a seasoned ultra-runner who has competed in this event three times, I decided it was now or never. So, rather than doing the more sensible route of the couch to 5k challenge, I have gone from couch to 50miles, in a year.
My previous experience is limited with one 10k under my belt, some years ago. I would lying to say this hasn’t been a challenge, trying to fit training in between a busy job and two young children. It has taken me well and truly out of my comfort zone. Support from colleagues, friends and family has been fantastic and encouraging. I will be running in a pair with my husband’s cousin, Haydn, who thankfully is long-suffering and doesn’t indulge in any complaints from his running partner!
But as well as wanting to challenge myself, albeit in the most extreme way, I am doing this for a cause very close to my heart. As a teacher at the King’s School, Worcester, I have not only seen, but really understand the impact first hand that BZT has on the lives of the education of students in rural Zambia. It is a privilege to play my part to support such a cause which my Mum and Dad have worked so tirelessly towards for so long. BZT has been firmly part of our family’s life for many years having been set up around the kitchen table 25 years ago. They have raised over £3million and Mum was awarded an MBE for her extraordinary contribution to Zambian communities.
My aim is to raise the money to build a teachers' house for Chipumfi School and to purchase IT kits for another 8 schools. The Zambian government provides a trained teacher only when there is a house built for them. BZT has completed many similar projects in the past, working to provide infrastructure to education in rural Zambia.
Until we started work on an education infrastructure programme in 2008, the community schools had no trained/paid teachers, no educational materials, no toilets and limited access to water.The topography of the land creates a natural barrier resulting in limited access to medical facilities, no transport infrastructure and little access to employment outside the community. Severe deprivation exists in Chipumfi, with very low incomes, poor school attendance and limited access to clean water. There are currently 702 children at the school and only 9 teachers. Some of the pupils walk a staggering 25kms per day just to get an education.
The knock on effect of building accommodation for a teacher has hugely positive impact on the prospects of children in Chipumfi. When a trained teacher is employed, children return to school, attend regularly and not only have much brighter futures full of opportunity, but are protected from the dangers of child sexual exploitation, early marriage, early pregnancy and child labour. In addition, with such high pupil numbers, another trained teacher will lessen the current workload for the 9 teachers already in post, resulting in a much higher quality of education for each child.
So with your support, we are hoping to not just build accommodation, but the health and prosperity of Chipumfi Community.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Wish me luck!
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