I did it! Just. I completed the marathon in 5 hours 7 minutes for children without the safe and loving families they derserve. But, don't worry, you can still contribute to my fundraising efforts!

 

In the video, I ran somewhere between The Dandy and T-1000. I may not have been the most stylist runner but I got round - so dig deep for some of the world's most vulnerable children.

 

Children like Alexei, a ten year old I met in an orphanage in Moldova.  From the moment Alexei entered the room, it was clear something was wrong. He rarely held eye contact and stared at the floor. His voice quiet and trembling. Alexei told me he was being bullied by one of the other 67 children at the orphange. The bully shared Alexei’s dorm. ‘I don’t know why he bullies me’, Alexei said, ‘He just doesn’t like me’.

 

Across the region, 95% of children in orphanges have at least one living parent. Some of the luckier children go home for short breaks; weekends, birthdays or over Christmas. Alexei's parents were too poor even for that. The bully didn’t go home either and when they were alone the bullying intensified. ‘I’m scared to tell. I’m scared it will get worse’.

 

With stories like Alexei’s it is easy to see how damaging orphanages can be. Studies in Russia show 1 in 10 children that grow up in an orphanage commit suicide.

 

EveryChild immediately started to address the bullying through social workers and other professionals. But the real solution is to reunite children like Alexei with their parents, and ensure families aren't torn apart by poverty in the first place.

 

In Moldova, the cost of reuniting a child in an orphange with their family is just £25 – my fundraising target could give 40 children like Alexei the happy childhoods they deserve.

 

A huge thank you for your support.

 

Martin.

 

P.S After you’ve sponsored, please share this page as widely as possible using the social media links above. You’re a star, thank you.