Business came to a stand still in Salima on Thursday July 14, 2016 when the outgoing British High Commissioner Michael Nevin humbled himself to join Brendan Rendall who is running through Malawi from Chitipa Boarder to Marka in Nsanje to fundraise for Malawian orphans.
Brendan Rendall is jogging 650 miles, equivalent of 25 marathons, in 25 days whilst Emma Timmis, 32, is cycling the route. The pair is raising funds for Friends of Mulanje Orphans (FOMO) in Malawi where they want to help build a science block for children.
They kicked off at exactly 6am on June 29, 2016 at Chitipa boarder before arriving in Salima 15 days later.
Brendan, 37, who is one of 15 Ordnance Survey ambassadors for outdoor pursuits, entered Discovery Channel UK’s Make Your World Bigger competition and pledged to run 650 miles through Malawi.
He said: “In 2009 I was part of an incredible team that visited FOMO, I saw first-hand the inspiring work they do.
The aim of the run is to explore one of my favourite countries in the world but also to raise money for the charity FOMOto build a science block for the secondary school. This is a thank you to the children that first inspired me back in 2009.
“This inspired me to continue to support and raise money for these incredible children. I have now set the task to raise £35,000 to build a school block to extend the secondary school which opened late last year. The block will include two science labs, an art room and a general classroom.
“The land and plans are all ready, so as soon as we reach the target the building can start.”
While commending Brendan for the initiative, Mary Woodworth, founder of FOMO, urged the world to support this initiative
“We are all overwhelmed with this Brendan Rendall and Emma Timmis’s noble cause. The orphans are so excited and run with Brendan every morning as he makes his way from north to south.
Brendan Rendall (in red t-shirt) is accompanied by the outgoing British High Commissioner to Malawi Michael Nevin captured during the fundraising running in Salima (C)Stanley Makuti
“This run will help FOMO raise money to build the science block at the Orphans Secondary School. This is the best gift for the children. This is our first challenge here in Malawi and we are looking forward to it and we are very grateful for Brendan and Emma’s commitment to help these vulnerable children here in Malawi.”
Friends of Mulanje Orphans (FOMO) is a community based orphan care programme supporting over 4,500 children through a network of 14 centres in Mulanje district of Malawi. FOMO covers all aspects of the children’s welfare including health through our outreach clinic, formal and informal education, food security and production.
The programme also covers pre-school, out of school activities and further learning through our play schools, computer, driving and tailoring schools. The programme also covers the provision of school materials, personal items (Soap, clothes, blankets, and mosquito nets) and community much more.
To find out more and see the incredible work they do visit www.fomo.co.uk
Running Malawi 2016 – Highlights
- Running a Marathon a day for 25 days
- Supported by a small team from FOMOand Emma Timmis – Physical Endevour Winner at National Adventure Awards 2015
- Camping along the route and schools
- Distributing Footballs as a Thank You to the schools we camp at
- Children from local schools and FOMOjoining me en-route
- Visiting the plot and ‘breaking ground’ for new science block that the run will hopefully fund with your much appreciated support
Please donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helpfomo35