Due to the extremely positive, generous response to my appeal, I've increased my target to €1400 (was €700) to buy school books for 200 children at Otici Primary School, Uganda, via ActionAid Ireland. I am running the Brussels half-marathon* (Oct 4th) as a fundraiser. 

Just €7 will pay for one child's books. Currently, there's just one book per eight children at Otici PS (852 pupils in total).

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. They send 100% of your money directly to ActionAid. Every donation is greatly appreciated!

57 million children in the world's poorest countries are denied a primary school education. 30 million of them live in sub-Saharan Africa and more than half of them are girls. 

Uganda recently made primary education free - a great step forward, but they desperately need teaching materials, more teachers and classroom space due to demand.

My fundraising initiative will support a two-year literacy project by ActionAid in the same village of Otici, Northern Uganda which will include the development of a community library, teacher training and women's empowerment groups. 

In the developing world, a child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five. Currently, 45% of women in Uganda cannot read or write.

ActionAid is an outstanding charity that's had tremendous success working with communities in Africa and Asia to end poverty. www.actionaid.ie

*Originally planned to trek the Canadian Rockies as my main fundraising effort, but the trek was cancelled by the trekking company. For that reason, I have replaced the trek with the challenge of the 21k Brussels half-marathon on October 4th 2015.

100% of all sponsorship goes directly to ActionAid Ireland. 

Instagram: @TrekforSchool15