Running4Rwanda

Great news from Shyira! In 2010 there were no maternal deaths at the maternity hospital - the first time this has ever happened. It's also the first full year that Robinah has been working as a qualified midwife. Coincidence? I don't think so. Who says you can't make a difference? Look out for new events in the near future - you can help make a difference

Yes - you read it right - we are currently in Rwanda. And I'm taking the opportunity to go running - a bit of altitude training! We are visiting the various projects we are involved with, but mainly the maternity hospital. It's good to catch up with Robinah, whose midwifery training we sponsored, and Fidel who we are currently sponsoring. Robinah qualified at the end of 2008, and had her graduation ceremony in Spring 2009. Since then, she has been working in Shyira, as the only qualified midwife. She is currently being assisted by Fidel who qualifies at the end of this year. Between them, they make a great team, and are making a great difference to the health and well-being of mothers in Shyira and the surrounding areas.

Just a quick update to thank everyone who took part in the 2010 Liverpool Santa Dash in aid of Shyira Trust. And thanks must also go to everyone who sponsored the runners - without your help we wouldn't have been able to raise the magnificent sum of £861. With Gift Aid, that total will increase to over £1000, and will go a long way to supporting midwifery training and safe motherhood projects in Shyira, Rwanda.

Our team now consists of 15 supporters! And we're easy to spot - we have the numbers 1 to 15! If you couldn't join the team, you can always help our cause - Midwifery training and Safe Motherhood in Rwanda. Just make a donation, big or small, and leave the rest to us. Small change can make a big difference, so click on one of the links below, and make it happen. It's back, and it's bigger and better than ever - the Liverpool Santa Dash. What's more, Shyira Trust now has 15 supporters taking part - to raise funds for Midwifery and Maternity projects in Shyira, Rwanda (click here for details). Please support one of our team members, or support the whole team, by clicking the following link: Team Rwanda The whole team .... Jane Morgan Lilian Brignull Judith Hulse Mary O'Brien Liliana Pantoja Peter Morgan Stewart Brignull Steve Hulse Liam O'Brien Mike Clarke Sally Williams Cheryl Moran Martin Baxter (and others) Whether you sup...

News of this year's Liverpool Santa Dash, taking place on 5th December, will appear here soon. If you would like to be one of our runners, supporting Shyira Trust, contact me: pete@running4rwanda.com . Let's see if we can beat last year's team of 12! In the meantime, to see why we are doing it, see www.bmycharity.com/Shocking (Flash required) Please visit again - news will start to appear in late October. Thanks, and please come back

Keeping my fingers crossed seems to have worked - I've been OK this year. No illness, no injuries, and I've managed to build up the mileage again, even managing a couple of long runs, and a couple of interval sessions. No races yet, but I'll get started next week, and then try to do a race every month. People have been generous, and have still come forward with sponsorship money, but as we're a month on, I'm going to close the Chester Marathon fund. The final total was £160 - £105 cash and cheques, and another £55 through my online sponsorship page at bmycharity . By the time Gift Aid is added, the total amount will be over £200, so I'm happy. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me - all money raised goes to Shyira Trust, and every penny is used for Safe Motherhood projects, including the sponsorship of a student midwife.

This time last year - a week after the Windermere Marathon - I was laid low with a chest infection. Fingers crossed, I'm OK this year. I've started running again, albeit very slowly, and will gradually build up over the coming weeks. More importantly, people are still coming forward with sponsorship money. Mostly cash and cheques, but also some through my online sponsorship page at bmycharity . I don't expect to get as much as last year's £400, but if I can get to about £200, I'll be happy. Thanks to everyone who has already sponsored me. As usual, all money raised goes to Shyira Trust, to help sponsor the training of a midwife, and other Safe Motherhood projects.