Updated on May 31st 2011 at 10:37 PM from the JustGiving API

Victory!!! We have exceeded our targets on all fronts.

The race went as well as could be expected - a sunny run on a scenic course. And to top that, a personal best at 43:13 over 10k!

But even better than that, we have reached and will well exceed our £800 target. Heartfelt thanks to all, not only for donating but for moral support along the way!

Give yourself a notional pat on the back.

PS You'll have noticed I've raised the bar because you've done so brilliantly - the new target is £1000 and donations will be accepted until 30 August. It's still not too late to do your bit if you haven't already...

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Updated on May 8th 2011 at 11:27 PM from the JustGiving API

Thanks so much for a fantastic response this week. I'm properly impressed! We're 82% of the way there, as you can see. The target is in sight. Spread the word and keep those donations rolling in!

 

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Fact: Ethiopia is the spiritual promised land for Rastafarians around the world.

Of all the things one might think about Ethiopia, this is surely an unusual choice. However for many, the country seems to provide little promise. With a little help from you, dear friends, we can make a big difference.

Help me raise money for Link Ethiopia as I run the BUPA 10K on the 30th May 2011!

In 2008, I was part of a team of architecture students that brought a travelling cinema to the town of Lalibela (as many of you are already well aware). My experiences from then have inspired myself and a few other friends to build a permanent cinema and community centre in Lalibela together with the local community as a vital social resource and an ongoing long-term initiative.

Click here to see our work so far.

In the meantime, helping me reach my target to raise £800 for Link Ethiopia will immediately provide much-needed resources for communities like that of Lalibela.

To put things in context, £1 = 25 Ethiopian Birr. Just a few birr can buy a book or a couple of pens, so no donation is too small!

PS Lalibela happens to be the site of a future Jerusalem ("Zion") for Rastafarians. Hence, I'm delighted to have reggae as a theme for my run! Let's take on those positive vibes...

"Iron, like lion, in Zion..." - Bob Marley

Thank you!

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More about Link:

Link Ethiopia works with some of the poorest communities in Ethiopia to improve education for children.

This charity works with severely under resourced schools, where classrooms are often temporary shelters constructed from branches, there are no toilets, safe drinking water or text books and children often sit on the floor to learn. Through partnership with school communities, it helps transform education for thousands of children by providing vital infrastructure such as classrooms, toilets, libraries, and computer rooms.

 

Now, in 2010, Link Ethiopia's work to improve education reaches over 60,000 children in Ethiopia. 

With your help, we can give thousands of children a better start in life by supporting educational projects such as:

  

-      A new blackboard

-      A classroom resource pack full of exciting learning materials

-      School dinners for children who need them

-      Teacher training

-      Football kit and sports equipment

-      Clean running water and hygienic toilets

-      Classrooms, libraries and computer facilities

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Thanks to Johnny Gao, Elaine Wong, and George Woodrow for their beautiful photos!