On Sunday 22^nd May, the courageous (albeit slightly mad) group of Friend of EduSport devotees set out to complete the Edinburgh Marathon 2011. 

Varying in experience, the team included:

Fiona Campbell, Rona McIntosh, Clare Farrow, Charmaine Ayden, Tom MacDonald, Tony Gillespie, Louis Schena and last but not least half Marathon Runner Lauren Holden.

Fundraising support from our Transatlantic Friends!

FoE is the frontrunner when it comes to fundraising challenges!

The Go Sisters World Series continues around the globe with a mixed sports event in London

Joanna Jamieson tells us how the Go Sisters do it, Aussie style

From Woman, For Woman, For Equality 

This year we’ve already had 5 continents, 10 countries and over 1000 people register to take part to raise awareness of the issues and challenges of equity and equality for girls around the world.

Friend of EduSport began the GSWS to create a sporting platform that would allow woman and girls to advocate for equality in a safe and fun environment and we would like to share with you just some of the messages that will be shared throughout the world whilst also recognising that in each country, for each community the challenges vary considerably. Girls and boys all across the world have already signed up to organise fun sporting events that are uniting a generation of people in a call to action for equality.

It is fitting therefore that our 2011 message comes from former Zambia International Footballer and an original Go Sister who has faced inequality head on, Annie Namukanga.

“As women and girls we have responsibilities to make the world a better place for our future generation. Working and supporting each other towards meeting our aspirations brings fourth light and hope to upcoming young girls. One thing for sure is to be ourselves, have courage to take on risks and transfer our energies to show compassion by stepping out of our comfort zones using our talents to make great impacts in our communities. I urge everyone out there to carry themselves with great courage, compassion and testimonies.”  Annie Namukanga, EduSport Foundation in Zambia

We will achieve our goals if we work together, we can inspire each other and learn from each other and as Angaza from Kenya suggests “not forgetting gender balance and equality by building programs that lead to an equal society because if programs are in isolation, then we shall be creating a future problem”.

“Stand-Up against poverty, reach out to have access to education and life skills. Be confident in who you are today, be proud and determined to reach for your goals and be inspired to be anything you want to be in life! You can do anything you want to do! Just go for it!” Carline Brice, HavServe in Haiti

The evening held a few surprise guests in store for the regulars. Mr Pat Reid, Lord Provost of Falkirk, joined us for the evening and spent some time marking his bingo cards and meeting the organisers, Morag and Ian Campbell, as well as other Friend of EduSport supporters (pictured). 

 Also in attendance was Paul Zulu, the sponsorship coordinator from EduSport in Zambia. This offered a unique opportunity for both Friend of EduSport and those we support in Zambia to provide some feedback to the bingo participants about where the funds they have raised over the last two years have been spent and the impact it is having in the communities in Zambia. The evening also marked Paul's first ever bingo game; thankfully FoE friends Andrew Jenkin, Elena Sara, Marion Keir, Llana and Liz Ure were on hand to help with the rules and regulations of the game - although not without some commotion.    

Thanks go to all concerned as the charity is better off to the tune of more than £300. We thank Pat for his kind donation, too. It was an honour to meet Paul and to hear his warm remarks on the work Friend of EduSport continues to do in Zambia it makes all the work behind the scenes of fundraising events more than worthwhile!   

Stick Sunday 8th May in your diary, and get yourself down to the Go Sisters London 2011 event!

We've heard a lot about the London marathon today - but how about a fencing marathon?!