Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am running the Berlin Marathon in September 2015 in support of Oxfam and its work to fight poverty across the world. 

Oxfam is not simply using charity to relieve populations of the consequences of poverty and disease. It seeks lasting solutions that will empower local populations and give them the means to secure a future free of poverty.

Oxfam uses a combination of rights-based sustainable development programs, public education, campaigns, advocacy, and humanitarian assistance in disasters and conflicts.

Oxfam challenges the structural causes of the injustice of poverty, and works with allies and partners locally and globally.

Like Oxfam workers and supporters, I believe everyone has a right to realize their potential, and to live free of poverty in a secure and more equitable world. We believe that with the necessary action and political will, this world is possible.

People have a right to life and security; to a sustainable livelihood; to be heard; to have an identity; and to have access to basic social services. 

In poverty, people have little power and are denied an effective voice. Poverty means little income, too few assets, lack of access to basic services and opportunities, deep inequalities, ongoing insecurity and little opportunity for development.

Poverty is rooted in inequality, and in human action or inaction. It can be worsened by natural disasters, human violence, oppression and environmental damage, and maintained by institutions and economic means.

Women and girls are often the most oppressed by poverty; their needs and rights must be central to eliminating it.

We face unprecedented changes and challenges this century, including climate change, famines and food price crises, increasing humanitarian crises, energy limitations, proliferation of weapons, urbanization, and natural resources shortages. To meet these challenges, we need global co-operation and cohesion.

Governments should be accountable to their people, and all society’s institutions –corporations, organizations and groups including us – should be accountable for the impact of their actions.

In the next few months, I will be training to run the 2015 Berlin Marathon to raise money for Oxfam. I hope you will help me reach and exceed my fundraising target. 

I will you posted on my progress and on Oxfam's work around the world. 

You can sponsor my marathon, any or all the training races I will be doing before September; you can even sponsor every single mile or kilometer I will running until then. 

You can write a big fat cheque or send a couple of coins. Whatever you do will be tremendously helpful and will serve a great cause and an awesome organization! 

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.