John Harper training for London MarathonMany of you will remember with affection our former Vicar, John Harper.

You may also remember his passion for running.

I've had an amazing message from John (see below) telling me that he is hoping to run the London Marathon to raise money for Christian Aid.

He needs to raise at least £2,000 in sponsorship, so please do what you can to help him, either by making a donation, or simply by spreading the word.

"This may be  a little crazy now I’ve reached my 8th decade, but I’m excited at the prospect of joining  the Christian Aid team running the London Marathon in April. 2018, with the aim of raising at least £2000. This is a charity close to my heart and I thought I would  take on the challenge to raise £2000  by getting my legs working round the London sights along with the other 30,000 idiots!

I realise that my fundraising task is quite a challenge, so I would really appreciate your help in spreading the word as much as you can, as publicity is key to attracting sponsorship donations. Christian Aid makes such good use of funds raised. For example, £8 will provide a new pair of boots to protect a Syrian child refugee through the winter;  £20  - a deliver kit with everything  a Kenyan mother and baby need to survive in the critical 24 hours after birth; £25 – a life-saving  temporary shelter, food and clean water kit for families devastated by conflict in South Sudan. And all is provided in the service of the Servant King.

If you would kindly  consider donating online my ‘Just Giving’ page can be found at:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-harper10

 -or else texting  £1,2,3,4,5 or £10 to 70070 with the code HGVA53.  I will also be glad to provide the more conventional sponsorship sheets if preferred. In each of these ways if donors are also taxpayers gifts can be Gift Aided, which means an extra 25% goes straight to Christian Aid.
I would also be grateful  if you would consider ‘liking’ or sharing this.
 I also have a Facebook page which I will update with my  training progress – or otherwise!

Many thanks for any support you can give,
John Harper (Rev) voluntary speaker in Cambs"

Date: 21st January 2018

Source: Stephen Lines