- £30,000 fundraising target for children’s education in Zimbabwe
- Sponsor Bishop Martin and Jem here
The Bishop of Kingston, The Rt Revd Dr Martin Gainsborough and his faithful dog Jem will be running the Pennine Way from 1 August to raise funds to build new schools in Zimbabwe. The energetic pair will be averaging a marathon a day for ten days, camping together along the way.
The Pennine Way runs 267 miles, crossing some of the country’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 has been inspired to take on the challenge by the incredible children and teachers he met on a visit to Matabeleland in Zimbabwe last year. He hopes to to raise £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. Land has been secured and a bore hole dug by a team of local volunteers, allowing for latrines, a caretaker’s house and garden, and space for livestock. This foundation is the first step towards a vision for classrooms, dormitories, a dining hall and rectory.
Fourteen-year-old pupil Ntokozo said, “Before we had hope, but now we have hope realised.”
Bishop Martin said: “Running the Pennine Way is a huge challenge, but Jem and I are ready for it and raring to go. Please help make it worthwhile by giving generously to help children like Ntokozo access education that we so easily take for granted for our children here in the UK.”
Throughout the challenge, keeping Jem well and safe will be Bishop Martin’s top priority. He said: “Jem is a fit Border Collie, ideally suited to mountainous terrain. He has done all the training runs with me and copes well with long distances. We will be doing the bulk of the day’s miles first thing in the morning, starting as soon as it is light when it is cooler. I am carrying extra water and food for Jem each day – and, in the end, my plans are entirely flexible. We can slow down and rest as required. To be honest, when I am flagging, for Jem it is a walk in the park!”
Bishop Martin will be sharing updates from the challenge on his X profile and on the Diocese of Southwark’s Instagram account.
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.
