The Result!

Race day arrived and we were favoured with beautiful weather conditions (aside from the strong winds along stretches of the Mersey)! Flanked by five and half thousand fellow runners, we took to the streets of Liverpool, a place with a rich historical past and with a people known for their infamous scouse colloquialisms. Together, we paced the course with a unified enthusiasm, branded by the Burma Orphanage Project T-shirts on our backs. In less than two hours we crossed the line together, connected arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder. The tumult and uproar from the spectators down the last 200 metres after the commentator voiced “Here come the boys!” was a particularly great moment…

The BOP Boys!

Our aim was to justify the kind sponsorship and support we have received. We hope the victory over the physical challenge will transcend into victory for the challenge that we find in Burma. Orphanage after orphanage is in great need. For some, not even knowing where their day to day meal is coming from. But the seemingly impossible is made possible through faith and with a little help from our friends (no pun intended). Special thanks is rightfully due to those who came to support us along the way. Big up to John Wedgwood who ran it alone and smashed his personal best, completing it with a formidable time of 1 hour 29 mins, coming 200th.

That being said, I am happy to inform you that we are approaching £2000 mark in sponsorship – this means we can help develop the project to offer the children of the Penial Children home monthly support. To put this into context: at a rate of roughly £17 a month, a child can be fed, clothed and sent to school. Which is hardly anything when you think about it! So BIG respect to your generosity!

What’s next!? From the team half marathon to a full one, Mike Schofield & myself will go on to run the Brighton marathon on April 18th. Rightfully we fear this with equal trepidation. So the opportunity to help us still stands. I figure if we can impact a child’s life for each mile we separately run then, it is all worthwhile. That’s 52 miles and 52 lives!

The children and staff of the Penial Child Home 2010

Also watch out for the ‘Vox Populi’ Burma night – featuring a film about Burma with a native guest speaker (providing he secures a British VISA) – of course prayers welcome – who will be giving a presentation on the desperate need. To be hosted by Eden Openshaw. More to come…