Thank you for your interest in Street Child and the Sierra Leone Marathon. When Street Child started working in Sierra Leone in 2008, it was the poorest nation in the world. Today, children continue to face significant barriers to learning, with 36% of children never completing primary school, and many more leaving school without foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Without intervention, young people risk getting stuck in a cycle of illiteracy and poverty.

I have followed the work of Street Child since the charity’s inception about 15 years ago. I have never ceased to be impressed by the impact that they have made, bringing opportunities to young people in far flung corners of the globe, opportunities that are the right of every child, and that here in the West we take for granted. But for children growing up in Africa, in Afghanistan, in Nepal, in many other parts of the world, these opportunities only exist through the goodwill and charity of organisations like Street Child. And I felt I needed to help.

I have never run a marathon. I enjoy running and outdoor activities that involve physical exertion, but the furthest that I have run until now is the half-marathon distance. When I learnt about the Sierra Leone Marathon – an event that takes place annually in Makeni in northern Sierra Leone, in support of Street Child’s activities there, I was inspired to push myself to achieve this, in recognition of the efforts of so many to bring the gift of education to young people. So I have enrolled – the clock is ticking for May 2024. Those who know me will know that I am a cold weather creature – not a lover of hot climates, so how I will cope running 26 miles in the heat and humidity of West Africa remains to be seen, but it is for a fantastic cause, and I would like to request your generous support for the charity in return for my efforts. And in addition to your support, my business, Frederic Smart, will match every donation £ for £.

Up until 31st January, HM Government were match funding all donations through the UK Aid scheme. This added significant valuable funds for the charity, but has now completed. But my campaign is still progressing – investment in education remains the best investment that can be made - every $1 invested in a child’s education is worth between $4 and $10 in economic return. Not to mention the fact that the cost of eight cups of coffee here in the UK (£30) will provide a year’s education for a child in Sierra Leone.

Thank you for your continued support.