I'VE DONE IT! I cannot begin to tell you what a relief it is - and how grateful I am to all of you. I so nearly gave up but I couldn't because you have been so generous and encouraging. It was very hard at times - partly because just fitting it in was a challenge, but then as the numbers each day increased it became harder to do. Remind me not to do anything so rash in the future please! But I am so delighted that together we have raised enough for us to train a midwife. I am overawed at those wonderful volunteers and what they are doing right now to save lives is incredible. I have to say - KIDS FOR KIDS is Wonderful - and so are you. Thank you!

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I am so grateful to all of you who have donated on here - wish I knew who you all are! Whoever left the comment about Stepmother really made me laugh!

I'VE STARTED! We have a schedule and 20 today seemed OK but I'm dreading when it gets to more than that each day. Think of me please! All the walking I am doing with my little rescue dog is already challenging my knees ..... do tell your friends what I'm up to. That would really help and hopefully keep me going!

My Appeal:

I need your help please! I am so desperate thinking about how families are struggling in Darfur that I have decided to do the Steptember Challenge.

Please sponsor me - I am going to need encouragement every Step Up on the way.

You may know that I turned 75 this year. I have no excuse though as I have two new hips! Please sponsor me - and how about doing it as well? Any step will do - I tried every one around the garden (and am going for the lowest)!

I am sure you know that violence is appalling in Sudan. Children are starving - and dying. What overwhelms me is the realisation that our projects are making life possible in villages. I am told the poor people whose homes have been destroyed are moving in with our communities because of our projects. Can you imagine what it means to have goat's milk, a handpump in the village - to have a midwife available is unbelievable. I'm told hospitals can barely function. Those that are struggling on have run out of even basic medicine.

With very little being reported in the media, we desperately need your help. We cannot turn our backs on these children. There is no one else.

It is time that we all STEP UP for the forgotten children of Darfur, Sudan.

That is why this year I am challenging myself to do 2,023 STEP UPS with our STEPtember Challenge!

I know times are tough but every little helps. I can only do it with your support. I'm going to find this tough.

Please do donate whatever you can - or join me in this challenge - we can all do it and have fun whilst fundraising for these forgotten children.

Thank you so much for your support, I am so grateful.

With huge thanks,

Patricia xx