[£10 = HK$115 = RMB100 = US$15 = €11 approx] 

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

The Event

I will be taking part in the 250km (155 miles) RacingThePlanet – Namibia 2009, a desert endurance footrace, on May 17–23.  I will cover approximately a marathon per day, will have to carry all my own equipment and food (around 12kg), and am only provided with water and a place in a tent each day (very similar to the famous 'Marathon Des Sables').

RacingThePlanet has been listed by Time Magazine as second on its worldwide top 10 toughest endurance competitions.

RacingThePlanet – Namibia 2009 will be held in the Namib Desert (click for map), where temperatures can reach 40°C during the day and freezing point at night.  It will cover hyper-arid gravel plains, waist deep rivers, massive sand dunes, river beds and the second largest canyon in the world (after the Grand Canyon), the Fish River Canyon.

I've never done anything like this before, so, needless to say, it will be a massive challenge!  To follow my progress, read my blog and track the race results.  During the race, please send me a message here to keep me going!

The Charity

SOS Children's Villages is the world's largest orphan and abandoned children's charity. Donations provide a new family and home for more than 70,000 children in 475 unique Children's Villages in 123 countries. Their supporters also help a million children and their families through SOS community outreach programmes.

In Summer 2009, construction will begin on a brand new SOS Children’s Village in Chipata, Zambia, in the far east of the country. Over 70% of households in Chipata are caring for orphans, and in a large percentage of these already-struggling households, the main breadwinner is ill, often with HIV / AIDS, as the HIV prevalence rate in Chipata is over 26%.

180 children will find a caring home in the Children’s Village when it opens in late 2010. They will also construct a nursery school for the local children, and the SOS children. An SOS Medical Centre will provide 10,000 children and families with the care they need, including HIV / AIDS medicines.  Your donation will be ear-marked for the Chipata project.

Justgiving.com

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: SOS Children's Villages gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

Thanks so much for your support,

Nicky