Hello!

 

Thank you so much for visiting my justgiving page. I realise that you are often bombarded with requests to support various good causes (not least by myself, and for that, I apologise), but I am asking you please to dig (deep) into your pockets once more and support my New York marathon for ‘Reaching the Unreached’ (“RTU”).

 

It is very easy to say that this will be my biggest personal challenge yet; the second of two marathons in the space of 34 days. Hopefully, on 30 September 2012, after running the gruelling 26.2miles, I will reach the finish line of the Berlin marathon – my first ever marathon. Before I actually reach that point and begin to even think about running (and finishing!) the demanding New York course on Sunday 4 November 2012 (a route described as ‘deceptively hilly’ and taking in all five boroughs of New York City), it’s going to be a test of determination and willpower to keep to the training regime (including reducing/tapering the alcohol consumption - please take any 'stray' jägerbombs away from me) and complete the necessary mileage. You'll be pleased to know that training has begun in earnest, with Jersey routes planned and my trusty trainers travelling with me everywhere – Florida, London and even Lourdes later this summer (those who have promised to train with me will definitely be kept to their undertakings!).

 

Now, please let me tell you a bit about RTU…

 

All pupils, past-pupils, families, staff and friends of St. Peter’s School, Bournemouth will already know the story of Brother ‘Lionel’ (Brother James Kimpton), a former teacher of St. Peter’s, who has worked for more than 50 years in India and was integral in the founding of RTU, a registered UK charity which is an organisation of social workers based in a remote village in Tamil Nadu in South India. RTU’s whole aim is to reach those in the greatest need; it helps the poorest people at the grass roots level in many small villages whose needs are diverse and immense. RTU’s main work is child-based and it runs four purpose-built children’s villages which house nearly 550 orphaned, abandoned, unwanted and HIV AIDS children in family groups of six or seven under the love and care of a foster mother.

 

Since 1977, St. Peter’s has supported the work of Brother James and RTU through their fundraising for ‘The Brother Lionel Fund’. I am hoping that this challenge will continue this good work by raising both money for and the profile of RTU. To put it in context:

-         £750 will build a new family house in a village;

-         £550 will pay for a tube well and hand-pump for typically 45 families; 

-         £180 will sponsor a child for a year (to cover the cost of food and other essentials); and 

-         £240 can sponsor a student for a year. 

 

My underlying aim is to raise enough money to build at least one new family home in Tamil Nadu.

 

 

RTU has a small UK office, located in a home and run on a part-time basis by an administrator and an assistant. This reflects the RTU continuing objective of keeping costs to a minimum, so that as much as possible of every donation received can be used to support the work in India.  As such, in practice, Gift Aid and bank interest covers all the RTU UK costs and contributes to the funds sent regularly to RTU in India. In addition, RTU only supports the ongoing work and projects of RTU in India.

 

Please, please, please give generously to support this very worthy cause; as discussed above, every penny will be put to good use and, unlike some larger, impersonal charities, you can see where your money goes and what good it can (and does) do.

 

I really appreciate all your support; it is incredibly rewarding to be running for such a worthwhile cause.

 

Finally, if you would like to come to New York to support in person, please do – the only requirement is to have some cupcakes waiting for me at the finish line (Mum and Dad – take note!)!

 

Much love,

 

Kate x

 

PS - A few words on justgiving: donating through 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 it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.