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A few months ago I watched a video about the plight of people in Africa, and the fact that these people are so less fortunate than ourselves. Some of the images were truly shocking and whilst I have never considered voluntary work I was deeply moved to the point that I wanted to help.

Through the church I heard about an organisation called Joint Aid Management who are a non profit making organisation, providing much help to poorer communities in Africa. They are a Christian, humanitarian organisation based in Africa with over 25 years involvement. Much of their work is to provide education to vunerable children around nutrition, water cleanliness & sanitation, agricultural development, income generation projects  & HIV/AIDs awareness.

On the 29th of October myself and 14 other church volunteers will make a trip to a day centre outside of Johannesburg which is need of renovation. The centre looks after 125 children providing education and much needed food. 5 of the rooms are in need of refurbishment. These children are very under privileged and anything that can be done to make their lives more bearable is a task I wish to undertake.

I need to raise £1,500 to pay for my travel and materials needed for the work program.

My fellow volunteers are undertaking events including running and cycling and not being the fittest person i wanted to undertake a challenge that would test me. I have decided to swim the equivalent of the channel between Dover and Calais. This is about 34 Kilometers, which is 680 lengths of a 50 metre pool. I plan to take the challenge over a 7 day period starting at the beginning of June.

Any help and support that you can offer would be much appreciated.

I will keep you informed of my progress.

 

20/5/2010:

Started training last night for my swim. Managed 60 lengths in just over half an hour, which on that pace would see me achieve a 100 lengths per hour, which is what i was looking to do overall. Fun starts in about 2 weeks time, when i start the event for real!!

 

27/5/2010:

Another training session completed, another 60 lengths!!!

 

9/6/2010:

After a break last week, training resumed. 60 lengths today. Real thing starts Saturday.

22/06/2010:

5 miles completed, 19 to go!!

24/6/2010

Another mile ticked off.

28/6/2010: 1.5 miles done. (7.5 altogether). Can taste the chlorine!!

30/6/2010: one more mile completed.

5/7/2010: 2.5 miles done, nearly halfway!!

7/7/2010: 1 mile completed.

21/7/2010: 15 miles completed.

04/10/2010: Swim all completed, never going swimming ever again!!! Many thanks for all your kind generosity in supporting this cause.

 

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