This year instead of my annual bike ride I’ve completed a long dog walk (25km) with my dog Winnie. The walk took us from the coast at Thorpeness to Snape maltings and back in Suffolk.

The charity I’m supporting is ZOV of which I am a trustee alongside my wife Charlotte, Lucy Rosenstein, Charmian Perkins, Dimi Velikov George Karaargirov and Bran Zelenkov. ZOV supports disadvantaged children and young people in Bulgaria, many of whom are growing up in institutional care. A significant proportion of the children we support have suffered severe trauma, and approximately a third of the children we support have special needs, their conditions ranging from mild to severe.

In addition, as the situation in Ukraine affects many neighbouring countries, we are already seeing the effects of the refugee crisis in Bulgaria. Where we can we will be extending our work to help those families affected by the crisis in Ukraine. 

Our annual wine tasting fundraiser which raises nearly 40 % of our income will not be going ahead this year, so it's really important that we find a way to fill this void in terms of fundraising so that we can continue to offer our programs and activities to the children through 2022 and 2023. The work we do for some of the most disadvantaged children in Bulgaria include, weekly mentoring and education support, lifeskills, work experience, trips and summer holidays, Christmas presents and parties. As well as music, dance, sports and English lessons. Children with additional needs get specialised help with therapists. Where necessary, we continue to support some of the children even after they leave care to try and make sure they go onto lead happy and stable lives.

Please do consider making a modest donation, it all helps and it will also be matched by the wonderful Macquarie Group Foundation.

Many thanks,
Mark