NEWS
Theo Humphreys, St. Mary’s Year 12 is fundraising for his visit to South Africa in June 2020.
Theo has made some great Christmas decorations and gifts.
Theo has made some great Christmas decorations and gifts.
Well done Theo
Anyone interested in purchasing a gift or decoration, please contact Mrs Chattoe c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org
Bambisanani Partnership and Rotary Club of Aireborough help transform teaching and learning in rural South African school
St. Marys School, Menston and Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal started the Bambisanani Partnership thirteen years and throughout that time the Rotary Club of Aireborough have supported the now charity that operates in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas.
St. Mary’s School, Menston and Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal started the Bambisanani Partnership thirteen years ago and throughout that time the Rotary Club of Aireborough have supported the now charity that operates in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas.
Media Centre at Mnyakanya High School
The local Zulu community had identified a pressing need to bring computers and the internet to the school in order to transform the education at the remote rural school of Mnyakanya which is situated in an area of extreme poverty and depravation. Three years ago, working with the KZN Department of Education, the partnership discussed an ambitious plan to create a computer based classroom (Media Centre) at the school. Following extensive research and consultation, long term Bambisanani supporter, Tony Moodley, Senior Advisor at the KZN Department of Education, produced a comprehensive three phase plan proposing a ‘Computer Technology solution’ at Mnyakanya.
Back in the UK Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s began discussions with Bill Hudson, Graham Davies and Janet Kerr from Aireborough Rotary Club about the possibility of applying for a ‘global grant’ to implement Phase 1 of the plan from Rotary International based in the USA. The total estimated project cost was £30,000 with Aireborough Rotary Club committing to £10,000. Further liaison took place with Graham Chennells and Nick Phillips from Eshowe Rotary Club in South Africa who had also been long term supporters of the partnership. Eshowe Rotary Club consequently offered to support the project and Catherine, Graham and Janet began the rigorous process of the grant application. Late last year, following considerable hard work and commitment, the ‘in principle’ grant for the remaining funds was approved by Rotary International. Over the last year the installation plan at Mnyakanya School has been put into place with the project managed by Nick Phillips supported with technical expertise from Eric Kruse.
Following three years of extraordinary international collaboration the Media Centre was opened at Mnyakanya High School this month. The purpose built classroom with enhanced security has full internet connectivity for twenty modern computers with associated software and additional hardware including projector and screen. The grant will also fund significant training for teaching staff together with technical support and connectivity fees for the next five years.
“ “This is a great achievement for The Bambisanani Partnership, Aireborough Rotary Club and Eshowe Rotary Club. Providing twenty computers and access to the internet will make such a difference to the students and teachers at Mnyakanya High School. The teachers will be able to use the facility to improve their teaching and students will be able to use the computers to aid their learning and access valuable information that may impact on their futures.””
““We are pleased to have been able to facilitate the funding of this project which we know will have a massive positive impact on the lives of both the students and the teaching staff at the school. We are looking forward in conjunction with the Bambisanani Partnership to seeing how they have all progressed.””
The Media Centre is known as ‘Mary’s Room’ with respect to St. Mary’s School and to Mary Jowett, former teacher and Deputy Head at Saltaire Secondary School, Bradford, who left a legacy to Aireborough Rotary Club which helped to fund the project. The Rotary District Governor in KZN Jaco Stander visited the school recently to officially open the new facility.
The opening of the Media Centre has already had a major impact on the teachers and students, many of whom walk two hours to and from school each day:
Learning in the Media Centre
““We thank everybody concerned for the new Media Centre which will help transform our school for both learners and educators. We have already applied to the Department of Education to introduce Computer Application Technology as a subject across all grades to ensure that our learners are well equipped to face the real world and play their part in it.””
““The New Media Centre is opening a new page of life for the Mnyakanya Community. It will make the life of educators and students easier. Students will start to learn how to use the computers as early as from grade 8 and will learn how to complete school work on them. This had been a big challenge for ages. Our learners will have a better chance of reaching tertiary institutions and will not be disadvantaged when they get there. This Media Centre will also help to train young people from the community how to apply online and search for employment opportunities without having to always travel to towns and cities to search for jobs. This will really change life for our community. This Media Centre is marking the beginning of a computer literate society and an introduction of the importance of technology in our community. We as Mnyakanya School would like to pass our massive thanks to the Bambisanani Partnership and the Rotary Clubs of Aireborough and Eshowe.””
The Media Centre at Mnyakanya High School will connect learners with the rest of the world
Communicating globally in the Media Centre at Mnyakanya High School
““With this new Media Centre our community is equipped with a tool to communicate with the world. Our community will live the lifestyle of a well-developed society where technology is a fundamental part of the society. Our students will have easy access to information. They will find the learning process as interesting as playing the games. This will lead to a bright future for learners, educators and the community at large. The Media Centre will pave a way to easy success to tertiary institutions and to job opportunities.””
““Our New Media Centre will really change our lives at Mnyakanya. Our standard of education will rise with the best, even if compared with those of urban schools. This Media Centre will attract many students to come to Mnyakanya because very few schools in rural South Africa have computers. This Media Centre will save time for educators because, less work will be written by hand on chalkboards. This will also save school funds in buying more chalks and exercise books. This is really amazing! May this partnership grow stronger.” ”
““We like to thank the Bambisanani partnership and the Rotary Clubs for opening this technology opportunity to us. I am a grade 12 student this year. I am so excited to get an opportunity to learn how to do typing from the computer. The Media Centre has helped me to search for different institutions where I can pursue my studies next year. It is a great opportunity for all young people who will come to Mnyakanya after me and even for our generations, to become a computer literate society. I like to thank all involved in making this dream come true.” ”
““It is really unbelievable that I am using a computer at school to write my school assignments and projects and also to browse for information. It’s amazing! Life is becoming so easy! Learning is so interesting. This new Media Centre will encourage even those learners who feel schooling as a boring journey. They will start enjoying to come to school .Those who dropped out earlier will come back to school. This will lead to a more educated society with technology. Siyabonga Kakhulu (thank you very much) to the Bambisanani Partnership and Aireborough and Eshowe Rotary Clubs.””
Mnyakanya High School, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Rural KwaZulu-Natal
Discussions are already underway at Mnyakanya School to use this initiative as a catalyst for further development that will further raise educational achievement. Priscilla Guliwe from the KZN Department of Education is recommending that the school is reclassified as a Technical School which will bring curriculum development and enhanced resources. Nick Phillips is also discussing the possibility of employing a specific Computer Application Technology teacher at the school as from January 2020.
David Geldart, Founder and Chairman of the Bambisanani Partnership was full of praise for all involved in bringing the project to fruition:
““An exceptional amount of hard work has gone into this, with Bambisanani friends, supporters and colleagues in both countries collaborating to make it a reality. My special thanks must go to Catherine, Graham and Janet for driving the proposal forward to a successful outcome. The new facility at Mnyakanya is modest by UK standards but simply massive in the context of this remote rural area. It has the potential to transform education at Mnyakanya School and give already extensively disadvantaged students some of the same opportunities that we take for granted. In an area that has 90% unemployment this initiative will give the community a boost that will inspire hope and aspirations.” ”
VIDEO: St. Mary's South Africa Visit 2019
New video made available!
New video made available!
St. Mary's South Africa Visit 2019 News Stories
Japan 2019: South Africa are Rugby World Cup Champions!
Congratulations to South Africa on winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan and making history in the process.
Congratulations to South Africa on winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan and making history in the process.
Twenty-four years after Francois Pienaar first raised the trophy in the famous ‘Mandela final’ history was made when Siya Kolisi became the first black South African captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. This is an other momentous step forward for the Rainbow Nation through the power of sport.
In a moving post-match interview Kolisi said:
"We have so many problems in our country, a team like this - we come from different backgrounds, different races - came together with one goal. I really hope we have done that for South Africa, to show that we can pull together if we want to achieve something. Since I have been alive I have never seen South Africa like this. With all the challenges we have, our coach said to us that we are not playing for ourselves any more, we are playing for the people back home - that is what we wanted to do today. We appreciate all the support - people in the taverns, in the shebeens, farms, homeless people and people in the rural areas. Thank you so much, we appreciate the support. We love you South Africa and we can achieve anything if we work together as one.”
We hope that this inspirational victory, and all that it represents, will add even greater importance to the Bambisanani's work in promoting and developing rugby in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Gallery of Bambisanani Partnership Rugby Photos
““Sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can create hope where there was once only despair. It breaks down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all kinds of discrimination. Sport speaks to people in a language they can understand.””
Highlights of the Rugby World Cup Final 2019
Inspirational charity says ‘two-way’ learning is key to success
This summer saw forty five volunteers travel to one of South Africa’s poorest regions to expand the work of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership charity.
This summer saw forty five volunteers travel to one of South Africa’s poorest regions to expand the work of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership charity.
Rugby activity at Mnyakanya High School
Students and staff from St. Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University developed existing programmes and introduced new ones based on using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Over a four week period the volunteers taught, coached and mentored hundreds of South African students in a variety of Bambisanani programmes which included Sports Leadership courses, cycling initiatives, Sports Festivals and other curriculum areas. The partnership’s commitment to ‘working together and learning together’ proved to have a most significant positive impact on students from both countries.
Playing football
The thirteenth annual visit by St. Mary’s to South Africa was led by Brad Dobson supported by Catherine Chattoe and Charlotte Wood. The St. Mary’s student team were Louis Adams, Tom Allan, Harmonia Ebrahim, Charlotte Falkingham, Rachel Farmer, Lydia Giedrojt, Stephen Ginty, Ciaran Hammond, Ellie Lamb, Adam Metcalfe, Lucy Moorby, Ben Patterson, Will Sammon and Isabel Wilks had prepared for 18 months for what would be an incredible venture and significant learning experience.
Empowering students in developing leadership skills is one of the key aspects of the Bambisanani Partnership and through their ten day visit, the St. Mary’s students, supported by students from Eshowe High School, mentored thirty Mnyakanya students through the Bambisanani Leadership programme. Using sport and education, the programme aimed to provide the Mnyakanya students with the necessary leadership skills and confidence to organise and deliver a Sports Festival, a Reading Festival and new to the programme, a Writing Festival, for 120 pupils from Ntolwane Primary school. As part of this process the Mnyakanya students were taught how to play, teach and organise competitions in hockey, rugby and short tennis. The leadership course was a tremendous success as was evident when the Mnyakanya students delivered three outstanding festivals. It was a learning process that empowered students from both countries and all with a real spirit of teamwork and mutual respect. The funding for all the equipment for the Sports Leadership and Festivals at Mnyakanya was provided by Manchester based international Shipping Company, Cardinal Maritime, who have been long term supporters of the partnership.
Geography activity
Additionally, as part of the visit, the St. Mary’s students delivered lessons in a wide range of curriculum areas, ranging from science to mathematics. The lessons were full of enthusiastic Mnyakanya learners with teachers from both countries praising the students for the exceptional quality of their work.
At a special partnership celebration ceremony, Mnyakanya students received their much deserved Leadership Awards. Students from Mnyakanya and Ntolwane Primary School were presented with a series of annual awards from the John Paul II Foundation for Sport and the Lawrie McCauley awards for football and writing. Ten days of intense hard work and learning culminated in the St. Mary’s students volunteering at the uMlalazi Day Centre for AIDS orphans and vulnerable children run by the Zulufadder Children’s Trust. Here the students organised a variety of sports, games, singing and story sacks which all proved to be a tremendous success.
The visit had a remarkable impact on St. Mary’s students.
““Bambisanani was an amazing opportunity. It taught me a lot about myself and the people I worked alongside. It gave me a unique opportunity to experience a very different culture. I met many inspirational people in South Africa and it was a proud moment watching the Mnyakanya students teach hockey, tennis and rugby to the primary school students. We saw them develop throughout the time we worked with them, growing in confidence and becoming great young leaders in their community. I believe that sport is the ultimate bridge between two different communities, as it bring us together allowing us to get to know each other, learn from each other and most importantly have fun together. I admire all the South African students I met for their commitment to learning and their striving to improve their community.” ”
““The visit to South Africa was the greatest 10 days of my life. The trip allowed me to become an effective leader, able to work with children but also inspire them to become leaders. It was so rewarding on the day of the sports festival watching our team of leaders from Mnyakanya teach the children of Ntolwane Primary School. Coming away from this experience, I’ve made friends for life.” ”
““It’s been an emotional journey for everyone involved and I’m sure the realisation of what the students have experienced won’t sink in for a while yet, and when it does it will be memories that last a lifetime. It’s been a pleasure to experience the visit with them’.”
As part of their respective International Volunteering programmes, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University are key members of the Bambisanani Partnership with both institutions making has a most significant impact in recent years. This year the two universities worked collaboratively on aspects of the programme as well as also developing particular areas of interest and expertise.
The University of Leeds team was led by Paddy Craig together with colleagues Lisa Naylor, Suzzi Garnett and Andrew Lockwood. Students, Emily Faux, Charlie Stevenson, Sofia Ravanis, Jess McCarrick, Izzy Bull, Freya Bourne, India Greenbury, Beth Jenks represented a diverse range of university departments and courses.
The Leeds Trinity University was led by Nicola Arjomandkhah assisted by Sheila King. Students from Primary Education courses included Hannah Bewley, Mia Bogush, Georgia Gould, Phoebe Huggan, Claudia Jordan, Lauren Macarthur, Lizzy Marks and Beth Skelton with Jake Almond, Harriet Bryant, Adam Lambert and Ammarah Pandor representing Sport related degree courses.
Working Together, Learning Together
Every aspect of the visit proved to be a huge success, with all volunteers thrilled by seeing the increase in the children’s skills and confidence as well as with advances in their own learning and world view.
Week 1 saw students from both universities deliver the highly acclaimed ‘Cycling for Success’ programme at Mnyakanya High School. Now in its third year the programme teaches students how to ride and maintain bikes. This skill is often life changing for the students, as many live as far as 2 hours away from the school which creates a barrier to their education. This year, as a result of the project 35 children learnt to ride bikes, 6 children trained as bike mechanics and 20 bikes plus spare parts and tools were shipped to the school for continued use by the students. The cycling programme was made possible with funding from the North Yorkshire based, Rob Stephenson Trust and shipping by Cardinal Maritime.
In Week 2 students delivered the Leadership through Sport programme as well as additional curriculum lessons and sports activities to children from four primary schools in the Eshowe area: Gratton, Holy Childhood, John Wesley and Little Flower. This proved to be a remarkable success with no less than 175 children gaining the award.
The sports equipment that had been used to deliver the course, again generously provided by the Rob Stephenson Trust, was donated to the participating primary schools to facilitate ongoing sports development and sports leadership activities.
At Ntolwane Primary School
Alongside these projects, eight Leeds Trinity Primary Education students spent time in two South African schools as part of their ‘alternative placement’ module. Week 1 saw the students work across grades four to seven in Ntolwane Primary School in Nkandla, with class sizes averaging around 70 to 100 pupils. A range of subject areas were covered, including Geography, Maths, Physical Education and English. In Week 2, the students were then allocated a specific grade to teach at John Wesley Primary School in Eshowe, presenting an opportunity to work alongside local teaching staff, and to learn more about the country’s education system and culture. They had the opportunity to develop lessons based on the South African curriculum and were able to link this with football related resources such as the ‘Premier Skills’ (developed by the British Council in partnership with the Premier League) on topics such as ‘Healthy Eating’.
““The student teachers and leaders made a fantastic contribution in the classrooms, in sports and with the marvellous Festivals. Both learners and educators benefit from this exposure; the talents of all involved are nurtured by the experience. My students from all grades told me that they have benefited in so many ways not least by experiencing friendship, sharing and love.””
““…you have made an incredible impact on the lives of so many youngsters of Eshowe. Your efforts could be described as tireless, positive, enthusiastic, meticulously planned, generous and highly professional. We look forward to similar interactions in the coming years.” ”
Riding bikes
Maintaining bikes
““It is difficult to think of suitable words to explain the importance of this partnership. Our learners lives really changed and will never be like before. They learnt so much about leadership skills in different sports and about riding and maintaining bikes. Our learners have gained confidence in leading their peers in different school activities. They have become very helpful in the community when it comes to fixing of bikes. The young people from both countries developed their leadership skills together; in this partnership everyone gains. The partnership brings so much to our school, our community and to our country.””
Students from Mnyakanya also valued the experience:
““We learnt a lot of things from our UK friends. We learnt many sports games like hockey, rounders, rugby and tennis; we also learnt how to ride and fix the bikes. This was all a wonderful experience because we are now able to help anyone who has a problem with his or her bike even in the community.””
““I am so excited about what we learnt from the UK students this year. I am very proud that I can now play different types of sports that I have previously only seen on a television. I can now also fix bikes for myself and for my friends.””
““We miss all the students from Leeds so much! They taught us many leadership skills such as communicating, active listening and how to train others in different aspects of life. We learnt the skills and rules of using the bikes. Everything was amazing!””
““Our visitors from St. Mary’s and the two Leeds universities were so kind, funny and patient with us. We were like brothers and sisters when we were together. We learnt so much from their discipline and about the importance of listening to others. I never thought that one day I would be able to ride and fix the bike, but today I’m proud that I have all those skills. I wish to thank the Bambisanani Partnership for changing my life.””
All Leeds Trinity students involved in the project received academic credit towards their respective programmes of study. They stressed the personal and professional gains they had achieved throughout the two weeks.
Lizzy Marks felt that “It’s been such a privilege to have this experience and work alongside some amazing schools, teachers and students”.
Georgia Gould said “I have learnt that I have the ability to achieve more than I thought I could. I have learnt that I am more adaptable and flexible than I thought.”
Mia Bogush summed up her experience saying “I have honestly had the best two weeks of my life! I have loved being able to teach and meet such amazing children who are so grateful for their education. I have learnt so much about South Africa as a country but also about myself. What I have learnt will stick with me forever and I can’t wait to share the information with others and hopefully inspire them to go and make a difference by international volunteering. I can’t wait to get back into a UK classroom and share the skills I have learnt!’
““We work with hundreds of South African students with the aim of raising aspirations through leadership and activity. It is a student led project and once in a lifetime adventure, where the students gain a range of skills and experiences which set them apart for life after university. The programme not only helps the South African students to develop new skills, but it also increases our students’ skills. This year, over the course of the project, our students demonstrated an average improvement of 31% in 18 key employability skills. This will help them to stand out from the crowd once they leave university, making them attractive to top employers. Not only this, it is an experience they will never forget” ”
University of Leeds team 2019
Emily Faux, one of the University of Leeds students said: “The visit was more than I ever thought two weeks could be. I learnt so much about the challenges that so many people face and I helped to make a genuine, sustainable difference with the university’s partner schools. I made incredible friends and have memories to last a lifetime”
Fellow student Jessica McCarrick commented: “There is no better way to gain skills and push yourself in a teaching environment, whilst having fun and making friends. Truly an incomparable experience that I would recommend to all.”
Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership charity David Geldart was full of praise for all involved in the visit: “The students and their teachers and lecturers have made a real difference to so many people’s lives through their selfless volunteering in South Africa this summer. In doing so they have learned and grown so much. Creating ‘two way learning’ is a fundamental element of what we are about. The commitment of St. Mary’s School, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University to the partnership and indeed global learning is simply phenomenal. Our supporters and sponsors, both here in the UK and in South Africa have enabled us to make a real difference in the world and deserve great credit and our sincere thanks. Based on ‘working together and learning together’ we have ambitious plans for the year ahead and are looking forward to expanding our programmes.”
Murphy collects 218 football shirts for South African children via The University of Leeds!
An eight-year-old football fan has inspired a campaign to take the beautiful game to Africa.
An eight-year-old football fan has inspired a campaign to take the beautiful game to Africa.
Soccer mad Murphy Grisedale-Stairs, from Carlisle, was initially asked to donate one of his old football kits to children overseas.
When he realised that there are youngsters in the world who can't afford their own strips, it made him think.
He decided he wanted to do more - and came up with the idea of Murphy's Mission.
Launching a Facebook campaign with the help of his parents, the Caldew Lea Primary School pupil asked people to donate their old kits. In just a few weeks he has collected more than 170 football shirts - and they are still coming in.
Now Murphy, who plays for Northbank FC, is planning to collect all year round.
All of the donated kits will be taken out to KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa, and handed out to children who otherwise would never be able to own their own football kit.
Libby Woffenden receives the Diana Award at the UK Parliament
Libby took part in the St. Mary’s 2018 visit to South Africa.
Libby took part in the St. Mary’s 2018 visit to South Africa.
On Monday 1 July 2019,Libby received her Diana Award on behalf of The Bambisanani Partnership from Wayne Bulpitt CBE. Warmest congratulations to Libby for this achievement.
Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, The Diana Award is the most prestigious accolade a young person aged 9-25 years can receive for their social action or humanitarian work. It is the longest running award for young people that is given to individuals and groups through a retrospective nomination process only. The Diana Award believe this is special because young people do not work towards the award, rather they demonstrate their suitability through their actions, without any expectation of reward.
The day ended with an opportunity of a lifetime. A private tour of the House of Lords by Angela Harris, Baroness Harris of Richmond. An opportunity to sit in the second Chamber of the United Kingdom Parliament and listen to a debate – seeing democracy in action! Thank you to the Baroness and thank you to Mr Harvey at St. Mary’s Menston for arranging the tour opportunity.
““When both teaching and sitting in on St. Mary’s student taught lessons at Mynakanya, it was incredible to see the enthusiasm of each student for every subject. In my geography lesson, even though the students had very little exposure to the subject, they all got involved at every opportunity. For example, some students asked me to write down what we had said to ensure they wouldn’t forget it, and others took pictures of notes and maps on the board. I found this determination and dedication to learning very inspiring.””
““Collecting the Diana Award on behalf of the 2018 Bambisanani Visit was an incredible opportunity which I will cherish for a long time. Learning about the work of the current and past award holders that I spoke to was both extremely inspiring and motivating. The opportunity to participate in the morning workshop taught me skills which I will carry forward into future interviews and public speaking that I do.
The awards ceremony, in The House of Lords, was a great way to bring the experience together as we all gathered to receive our awards and listen to inspirational guest speakers, such as Amika George, who was named as one of the most influential teenagers in the world in 2018. Finishing the day with a private tour of the House of Lords from Baroness Harris of Richmond was an amazing experience and I am so grateful for the opportunity.
My Bambisanani experience from start to finish has taught me lessons I will take with me and cherish throughout my life.””
St. Mary's student Ellie completes Football Coaching Qualification before South Africa visit next month
FA Level 1 Coaching Course Achievement.
FA Level 1 Coaching Course Achievement.
Ellie is looking forward to visiting South Africa as part of the St. Mary’s 2019 team
““During my FA Level 1 coaching course, I took part in 5 full days, which included being taught various different techniques of how to coach children and what methods work best. I was then assessed on 3 different occasions, where I had to create a training session and then deliver it to the other people on the course (who acted as my students). In order to pass these assessments, I had to tick 14/15 marks on the criteria, which included points for “70% ball rolling during the session” and “setting personal goals for students within the session” etc.
After passing the session I had created, I then had to complete 6 online modules, which included lessons on “how to act on match day” “respect for the game” and more. After finishing these modules, I then completed a first aid training course and a children’s safeguarding course in order to complete the whole course.
After completing this course, it means I am now a qualified level 1 coach in football. I am now able to regularly volunteer at the after school girls’ football training with proper knowledge of how I can effectively help. Alongside this, I am going to South Africa this June with the Bambisanani Partnership, where I will help coach the children at Mnyakanya High school.””
“ ‘I am very proud of Ellie completing her Level 1 coaching qualification. I look forward to seeing her use her skills when working at Mnyakanya High School in South Africa next month.””
Bambisanani debut at London Marathon
Dr Chris Rowley has become the first person to complete the London Marathon in aid of the Bambisanani Partnership.
Dr Chris Rowley has become the first person to complete the London Marathon in aid of the Bambisanani Partnership.
Chris is a Senior Lecturer in Sports Psychology at Leeds Trinity University and is heavily involved in the partnership organising student volunteer visits to South Africa to work on the various Bambisanani programmes.
Speaking after completing the marathon a delighted Chris said:
“I had always wanted to run a marathon and have often found myself envious of friends and family members who had already ticked it off their respective bucket lists! Once I found out that I had obtained a ballot entry into the London Marathon 2019, it was an absolute no brainer that I would try and raise some funds for the Bambisanani Partnership. It is a charity that is so close to my heart, and I am fortunate enough to be able to personally vouch for the excellent work that the various partner institutions (including Leeds Trinity University where I currently work) undertake, both in the UK and in South Africa. Indeed some of my own personal highlights from visiting KwaZulu-Natal as part of the partnership had helped to keep me motivated during training, giving me good reason to smile on those cold, dark winter morning long-runs. Getting to talk to people about the partnership as part of my fundraising, and wear my Bambisanani vest on race day was just the silver lining on a really enjoyable overall experience. Thanks to the kindness shown by family members, friends and colleagues, we have been able to raise over £600 which I know will be put to very good use. Thanks to all who donated and to everyone who supported me and offered advice in relation to the marathon. I loved every minute of it!"
Chairman of the Bambisanani Partnership, David Geldart added:
“Chris deserves tremendous credit for this tremendous achievement and all the hard work that has gone into it. We are truly grateful for his fundraising which will support our valuable work in one of South Africa’s poorest regions. Feats like this are always inspirational so we are hoping that others may follow Chris in the future and participate in sponsored events on behalf of the partnership. Last year former St. Mary’s student and Bambisanani volunteer Alessandra Valle-Metaxas completed the Great North Run for the partnership so we are hoping that running for Bambisanani becomes a regular event.”
Anyone interested in representing the Bambisanani Partnership in any form of sponsored event should contact Mrs Catherine Chattoe: c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org