Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, it is linked to the UK based charity that raises funds for St Francis Hospital, Katete, Zambia (www.saintfrancishospital.net) where I worked for 2 months last year on my medical elective. The hospital provides healthcare to a very rural area of Zambia with a population of approx 220,000 and so shortages of drugs and equipment are an everyday reality. It is partly funded by the Zambian government and the Anglican and Catholic churches but relies heavily upon donations from overseas.

 

During my last week at the hospital the new children's ward opened and I saw the difference that donations make first-hand. In the old ward there were usually 2-3 children per bed and space was extremely limited. The new ward is much more spacious and has areas designed for giving treatments and caring for children with severe malnutrition who have many special needs. However it is still lacking an isolation room. I was involved in the care of a 12-year old boy with a large neck tumour, which was being treated with chemotherapy. He had to receive this treatment on the main ward where he was exposed to other patients with infectious diseases, such as TB. The aim of this marathon is to raise money towards a new isolation room on the children's ward to use in cases such as these and will cost approx 3000 euros to build. Any surplus money will go towards other much needed equipment on the new children's ward.

 

While I was at St Francis we had a 6am morning running group and I was inspired to sign up a year in advance for the Brighton marathon. It is now becoming a reality and I am busy training 5 days a week including through the snow so that I can make it round the course. In case completing a marathon is not quite enough to convince you to donate money I will add in an extra 13.1 miles by completing the Brighton Half Marathon in February as well.

 

JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

 

So please dig deep and donate now, any amount would be gratefully received.