Mary Ann Clements
Clements Family Walk - Help us support homegrown leaders in Uganda
Fundraising for ADD International
Story
Since last July Mary Ann has been leading an organisation called ADD International. Their work supports the activism of disabled people's organisations in a number of countries in Africa and Asia. Since May she has been co-leading the organisation with Fredrick Ouko a Disability Activist based in Kenya.
Over the next few months we will walk the green chain in south east London as a family it's not a marathon but it is 50 miles altogether. We will will be walking it in stages. It's a big challenge for Edward who is only 7 and a half.
* picture not in London !!!
ADD currently has something called an Aid Match appeal running for their work in Uganda. What this means in short is that for every pound raised for their current 100% homegrown appeal for three months this summer, the UK government will match it pound for pound.
This is a great opportunity for ADD and with Mary Ann having retired from marathon running (!!) after her first successful attempt in 2008 and not asked anyone to sponsor her for anything since we've decided to do a family challenge this year and try to raise £5k (£2.5k here which will then be matched) as part of the appeal.
Together as a family we are going to walk the Green Chain Walk - a 50m trail through South East London where we live. We will do it in sections but t's definitely a challenge for Edward as he's only 7 and a half.
So sponsor him if you aren't too impressed by us - it will make his day and also support the awesome work being done by disabled activists in Uganda. As one of them, Lydia says 'I do this gardening because I do not want to be a source of pity.'
The work that will be supported with your money has been developed by disabled people themselves as a means of transferring their skills and knowledge to the next generation as they face the current cost of living crisis.
In doing this together we want to raise £5000 in total for the ADD International 100% Homegrown appeal. Everything £ of the £2500 we will hopefully raise here by 4th October (originally 23rd Sept but now extended to this date) will be matched pound for pound by the Uk government Aid Match scheme.
Help us raise £2.5k which will be matched by another £2.5k (plus gift aid if applicable) this summer as to support this work.
We will be posting updates as we go!
Matthew, Mary Ann & Edward
More about the 100% Homegrown Appeal that we are supporting
This appeal celebrates the disability rights movement in Uganda and recognises the importance of homegrown solutions and leadership. During the pandemic, disabled people were able to support themselves by growing food in their own accessible kitchen gardens, in response to food shortages.
With another food crisis looming now, homegrown food is more relevant than ever. Disabled leaders who are successful gardeners now want to pass their wisdom onto young disabled people in their communities who don't have access to an income or enough to eat and face barriers to employment due to discrimination. The appeal will support them to buy seeds, tools and provide mentoring to young people.
Check out the appeal page to find out more: https://add.org.uk/homegrown
The money we raise through this appeal will be used to facilitate intergenerational training, provide seeds, equipment and materials for young disabled people’s kitchen gardens to thrive and unlock their long-term benefits. It will also help get more resources to disabled activists in Africa and Asia so that they too can design and lead solutions to their own challenges.
Please support us in fundraising for the ADD International 100% Homegrown appeal, cultivating homegrown leaders through home grown food in Uganda. Everything you donate before 23 September will be doubled by the UK government (now 4th October due to a pause in the appeal during the Mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II)
