Getting excited about some kinds of news is easy! I’ve been
committed to supporting work in South Africa for more than two
decades – and, as CTC chairman, I’m delighted to support a
unique initiative
involving my other passion: cycling. The Race Against Time is a
challenge that will stretch its participants to
the limits of their fitness and capability, and raise money for
families affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
A group of riders – people like you and me - will cycle nearly
900 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just 6 days in
June 2008. Usually cyclists take at least a week to go End-to-End,
but this time the route will be completed as quickly as humanly
possible. The ‘Race’ reflects the urgency of stopping HIV-AIDS
spreading – it is literally a race to educate the young.
Every 15 seconds one person in Africa dies of AIDS. So by the
time the riders have come to the end of their 6-day journey,
34,560 people will have succumbed to the AIDS virus. This
situation is utterly unjust, it can and should be changed.
Supporting this event is a great way to make a change for the
better. I
know Race organisers, the Bishop Simeon Trust, are working
right at the grassroots of communities – in pre-schools and care
centres, schools and churches – and all the funds raised are
used directly for the work.
Take for example Thabo and Dumisani, who were orphaned last
year. Their mother Rebecca was being cared for by volunteer
women, supported by the Trust. Rebecca said that she was not
afraid of death because she knew that her two young sons would
be lovingly cared for by the pre-school co-ordinator Grace.
Volunteers like Grace ensure orphaned children are fed and
cared for and can attend school when their parents die. Grace
and her team provide home care for over two hundred people dying
from AIDS-related illnesses, and support the children
afterwards.
People like you and I can’t be there ourselves to help the
children. But I know I can enable Grace to help, by supporting
The Race Against Time. More detailed information is enclosed. I
ask that you take two minutes to read how you can get involved –
and then talk to the race organiser, to sign up.
We’ll make a great team!
If you are interested in the 2009 race, please contact the Race Organiser on 0845 430 1214 or email us at info@theraceagainsttime.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Yours,
Jon Snow
Race Against Time Patron
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