Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I became a father in 2018 and after my partner and daughter had spent a week in the hospital due to pre-eclampsia, I felt very lucky to walk out the door with both of them in good health.

It was only later that I learned more about pre-eclampsia and how common it is (and how easily treatable and detectable it is as well), and that it wasn't luck but rather it was free, accessible and altogether great health care that was responsible for that moment.

Unfortunately, that is not always available to everyone. Every year, 287.000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth, that is 800 every day, or one every 2 minutes.

While still in the hospital I signed up for the South Downs Way 100 mile race, and decided to use that occasion to raise money for Maternity Worldwide. Maternity Worldwide is a charity, which works in low-income countries to help women and girls access the high  quality maternal health care they need to be able to give birth safely.

You can follow my preparation here:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/cdiepenhorst

FAQ

“You like running, why would I give money to charity for
that?” Great question! I do like running. I’ve always said it makes as much sense to give to charity for me going to the cinema as for running, except for when I’d do something really stupid. 161KM on hilly trails is REALLY stupid, believe me. If you want your money’s worth though, I can promise a video of me trying to get up some stairs the day after?

“You’re an idiot, you’ll never finish” Again, I agree. I will be under experienced and underprepared at the start. I would propose to put your money where your mouth is and go for the incremental penny approach: £0.01 for mile 1, £0.02 for mile 2, etc. I drop out after 10 miles? You will end up giving only £0.55. I finish? You end up giving £50.50 (or £130.41 for those opting for the incremental p/km approach)