Marathon effort is to help people get clean water (From Ledbury Reporter)

Marathon effort is to help people get clean water

8:50am Monday 10th September 2012 in Ledbury

A UNIVERSITY student plans to run the equivalent of two-and-a-half marathons in two days to raise money for a charity which gives African families access to clean water.

Kevin Mason, aged 20, is running from his home in Ledbury to his university campus at Oxford Brookes.

The challenge will begin on Saturday, September 15, and will cross three counties, covering more than 60 miles.

Mr Mason said he decided to support the charity because as a student, he felt he could do something more productive with his time.

Water For Africa, the charity he is supporting, is a small British charity founded in 2003 which helps build water pumps and other vital facilities needed in west African countries.

Mr Mason said: “I decided I’d rather try to help a charity that’s smaller scale and lacks the widespread support and publicity of others.”

To aid his fund-raising, Mr Mason has created an online donation page through the Virgin Giving website.

Planning to create a blog to keep a record of his training progress, he said that he felt increasingly confident about the run.

“I’ve been finding it fairly tough but I’ve slowly been increasing my miles with regular walks/runs, as well as cycling, swimming and joining the gym.”

To donate to the cause, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.

com/KevinMason3