On the 19th of October 14' I will be putting myself through my paces at the Vodafone Big Marathon event in Amsterdam!! Yes that's solid hardcore running for 26 miles!

Why am I doing this? because I'm crazy? No... Okay... well maybe I am just little ... 

I'm actually doing this because I love a challenge but more importantly because I want to give something back and raise money for the worthy cause that is the Children of Lesotho through the Vodafone foundation.

Through participating in this challenge on behalf of the Vodafone foundation I have committed to raising at least €1500 for this worthy cause, so your support and donations in helping raise these funds would be greatly appreciated.

There are 41,000 HIV positive children in Lesotho but only 5,000 of them currently receive treatment. Very few children will survive beyond their fifth birthday if they do not receive treatment and many of these children live in rural areas. 

The funds I raise will help these children receive the critical treatment they need through M-Pesa:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-Pesa

The funds I raise will be used to provide safe deliveries for mothers, preventing maternal death and the transmission of HIV from mothers to babies. 

Transport: travel funds will be sent via mobile, so children and expectant mothers can travel to treatment - this costs just £20.

Testing: results will be sent via mobile speeding up both diagnosis and treatment -just £50 will pay for a mobile enabled paediatric HIV test including the transport of the blood sample.

Treatment: mobile clinics via mobile will enable nurses to be connected, and more young people and mothers to be reached. 

But.... it doesn't stop there. As apart of training for the marathon I will also be completing 2 more Tough Mudders & a Spartan Race:

These events will see me tackle 20+ obstacles, electric shocks, ice baths & more, over 13+ miles. Here's what's in store for me at these events:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjjVmtH22kg 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de9UaSTfb3s

If you could please donate for all my efforts in training for and participating in the Marathon, and for more importantly what is truly worthy cause, it would be greatly appreciated. 

I will do my best to keep you updated with my fundraising achievements, training progress and I will let you know how I get on at the events.

Many thanks,

Reuben.