88 miles of Offa's Dyke for United Purpose

I was due to be running my first half marathon in Cardiff on 27th March for United Purpose (UP) but sadly caught COVID in the week running up to it! Thank you nevertheless to everyone who has supported this amazing organisation https://united-purpose.org/ As a substitute I walked 88 miles of Offa's Dyke path (south section, Chepstow to Knighton) from 19th-23rd April.

You can still use this page to make donations if you wish - all money goes direct to the charity via bank transfer (no card fees).

UP is doing really important work worldwide to help people who need it most - with an innovative, highly cost-effective and long-term sustainable approach to aid. It's been a leader in community-led development and grassroots innovation for more than 40 years, working in 16 countries around the world and reaching 3 million people every year - but many people (including myself until recently) have never heard of them.

If you want to see bang for your charitable buck, and do as much good in the world as possible with your money, UP is a strong contender!

UP takes an integrated, holistic approach to addressing poverty and inequality - they believe a person’s future should never be wholly reliant on benevolence or charity. Instead they aim to help people and communities develop self-determination, agency and control over their own lives. UP's members work closely with frontline activists, community organisations and individuals to deliver innovation and support at the grassroots level - resulting in sustainable small businesses, clean water supplies, food security and access to healthcare and education for all. UP believes only this holistic, long-term oriented, and community-led approach to aid will bring true independence, resilience and sustainable wellbeing to those living in some of the world’s most challenging places. The need for UP's work grows every year, as people living in low- and middle-income countries are particularly threatened by global challenges like environmental degradation, infectious diseases and armed conflict.

UP's work puts the challenge of a half marathon, and the challenges of our lives here in the UK, in stark perspective:

• £50 could support a woman in rural Ghana to receive business training, and a small loan to start her business. The ability to earn a steady income will be life-changing for her and her family.
• It costs £14 per person for a new water borehole to be drilled, fitted and maintained in a small village community. This replaces time spent fetching water (which may be unsafe to drink) with opportunities to earn, learn and play.
• £10 buys a packet of drought-resistant seeds. If rain fails to arrive, these seeds will still grow, providing a reliable source of food and income for a whole family.

If you reflect on all the stuff surrounding you right now (including the screen you're reading this on), and what you've spent on food and drink this week, I hope you agree that a donation to UP would be money well spent.

Your generosity would be very much appreciated, and will keep me motivated during the winter training and on the day!

Thanks in advance for your help and kindness,

Tom

P.S. Don't forget to tick the GiftAid option for an extra 25% top-up on your donation, if you're eligible.