My name is Fiona, I live in Oxford and I am 73.

 

I used to be a social worker and after retiring I have lived in France for a year and developed a love for cycling.

 

I have a passion, too, for worldwide equality in that no-one should have to live in poverty. In particular, I believe that every child has the right to a good childhood.

 

My cycle ride in France, in June, will be along a low traffic route from Dieppe to Versailles: 120 miles. I would not normally undertake such a long journey by bike, but I want to try to achieve this in order to raise money for IraqChild.

 

Iraqi association’s IraqChild project is a small non-sectarian grass root initiative which seeks to provide education and protection for Iraqi children in the most deprived areas of Baghdad, whose lives have been shattered physically and psychologically, due to decades of conflicts.

 

Most of those children are forced to forego education, leaving them with dim futures. They have had to leave their schools and take paid work after losing their families during either the war or sectarian killings.

 

The sad truth is, most Iraqi orphans lost their parents around the same time and under horrible circumstances. In addition to their desire for compassion and care, those children need help to learn to cope with their sad memories and make a new beginning in life.

 

The money raised will go towards funding an education centerthat provides children with food, clothes, education, school stationary, books, healthcare, and a network of local families to provide support. This center also acts as a place of refuge for war affected children, and can be the only place that many of the children feel safe.

 

Please give whatever you can, as even the simplest donation can make a large difference to a child’s life.

 

Thank you.