The Bishop of Kingston, The Rt Revd Dr Martin Gainsborough, and his Border Collie Jem have raised more than £35,000 to build new schools in Zimbabwe by running 267miles in 10 days.
Averaging a marathon a day, the pair ran the Pennine Way, which crosses some of England’s wildest terrain, from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm just over the Scottish border, with nearly 40,000 feet of height gain.
Bishop Martin was inspired to take on the challenge by the incredible children and teachers he met on a visit to Matabeleland in Zimbabwe last year. He set an initial fundraising target of £30,000 to improve children’s education in the region.
The money raised will be used to build schools like the brand-new St Cecilia’s School in Lupane – still under construction – but already offering an education to local children. St Cecilia’s will allow many children to attend a local secondary school without having to make long journeys to do so. Many children currently walk up to 10km to get to their nearest school – a dangerous journey leaving many, particularly girls, unable to attend.
Nearly £27,000 has been raised in online donations, with more than a further £8,000 donated offline. The total raised currently stands at £35,389, but there is still time to donate here.
Bishop Martin said: “Running the equivalent of a marathon a day for ten days was pretty brutal as it is wild and mountainous terrain and it is quite easy to lose the path. I think it would be overstating it to say I enjoyed it but it is deeply exhilarating to have completed it in one piece! Jem, who was magnificent throughout, is now enjoying a more sedentary pace in Southfields.
“I have been amazed how my run has captured people’s imagination – reflected in a huge amount of support and prayers, and incredible generosity in fundraising. To be able to make a difference to the lives of children in our Link Diocese of Matabeleland so they no longer have to walk long distances to school means more than I can say and makes all the pain and heartache worth it. Thanks be to God!”
The Kingston Episcopal Area in the Diocese of Southwark, which Bishop Martin leads, has had a link with the Anglican Diocese of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe for many years. The Link celebrates unity across the miles, helping churches and communities in both areas to grow in friendship and in faith.
