EcologiaRunsTheBenromach

[p]The Forres Harriers Benromach 10K is a race local to [url=https://www.ecologia.org.uk]Ecologia Youth Trust[/url]. Winding its way through the lovely Moray countryside around Forres, our nearest town, it will be held on Sunday 13th May, from 14:30. [/p][p]Team Ecologia is taking part to raise money for Ecologia's work with vulnerable children in Kenya, Uganda, Russia, and the Scottish Highlands. We will be led by [url=http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/justaLittleRun]Simon Clark[/url], who ran 5,000+ miles around the coast of Britain in aid of Ecologia last year. We would love you to join us. (See below for how to sign up.)[/p][p][url=https://www.ecologia.org.uk/about/][b]Ecologia Youth Trust[/b][/url][/p][p]We support children facing challenges no child should ever have to struggle with. For over 20 years, we have been working to enable youngsters who have been abandoned, neglected or orphaned to fulfil their own individual potential, within their own communities. Children like Samuel, in Uganda, who lost his father when he was 9 months old. [/p][p][b][u]Samuel's story - succeeding against the odds[/u][/b][/p][p]After Sam's father died, his mother found it very difficult to cope. To help make ends meet, she started frying snacks to sell. Sam was only a little boy but he had to wake at 2 am every day to assist his Mum prepare the food, which she would sell from 7 am every morning. This had a huge impact on his education, as by midday he was completely exhausted at and unable to focus on his schoolwork. His mother would get very angry with him, and Sam told us he sometimes wished he were dead because he was so unhappy. [/p][p]Eventually, Sam and his younger brother were taken to live with Rose, at her home in[i] [/i][url=https://www.ecologia.org.uk/projects/uganda-sky-is-the-limit/about/][i]Sky Is The Limit's Children's Centre[/i][/url], Ecologia's local partner in Uganda. For the first time he felt loved and happy and the two boys thrived in their new home. [/p][p]Being extremely bright, Sam got top marks in his primary school exams and won a place at one of the most prestigious high schools in Kampala, Uganda's capital. He was anxious about going to such a school, having come from such a humble background, but told us that Rose always gave him the confidence and self-belief to succeed. [/p][p][b]Samuel's story is one about overcoming all the challenges life has thrown him.[/b] He is now in his third year at medical school and, although it has been a real challenge to afford the books and equipment he needs for his studies, [i]Sky Is the Limit [/i]has continued to support him to realise his dreams. Sam says Rose has been a role model for him in her work as a health visitor and founder of [i]Sky Is the Limit[/i], as well as in the individual care she gives to all the children living there. Because of Rose, he would like to train as a pediatrician and eventually return to Fort Portal to help look after the children too. [/p][p][b][u]Why are we running?[/u][/b][/p][p]Inspired by Sam's story, Team Ecologia is running to raise money to ensure that Ecologia's local partners can continue to run community-based projects designed to empower other youngsters like Sam to fulfil their potential and create sustainable, resilient communities in which children can flourish. [b]Please support us and help more children like Sam by giving whatever you can afford, [/b]using the red donate button under our cover photo above. [/p][p][b][u]Tempted to join us?[/u][/b][/p][p]Team Ecologia is open to anyone seeking a fresh challenge, no matter what your running ability and fitness level. [url=https://www.ecologia.org.uk/run-around-britain/]Simon Clark[/url], who ran 5,000+ miles around the coast of Britain last year to raise over £25,000 for our work, is leading the team, and there will be plenty of advice on hand to help you plan your training schedule - plus lots of opportunities to train and build up your stamina. It's a great way to get fit, meet new people, AND have a LOT of fun! Sign up at [url=https://www.entrycentral.com/benromach2018]www.entrycentral.com/benromach2018[/url], and contact [url=http://mailto:info@ecologia.org.uk]info@ecologia.org.uk[/url] for further details - all welcome![/p]