Raising funds for development charity (in a exhausting way)

An Ealing vicar is about to undergo a gruelling challenge to raise money for African development.

Reverend Peter Mackenzie, Vicar of St John’s Church in Mattock Lane, plans to spend Saturday (22 June) undertaking what he refers to as a Tri-Africathlon, raising funds for three charities, including the Ealing –based Uganda Development Services (UDS).

Peter hopes to swim three kilometres, cycle 100 and run 10km, all in one day. After an early-morning prayer at St John’s, Peter’s off to Gurnell Swimming Pool for three kilometres’ worth of lengths. Straight after that he’s cycling to Richmond Park for eight circuits, then cycling back to Ealing. By 4.30 pm he’s hoping to be running eight laps round Walpole Park.

The distances are his personal bests in each event, but never before has he attempted them back-to-back.

UDS, based in the Lido in Mattock Lane, works to alleviate poverty in rural Uganda. Peter is also raising money for The Maseno Trust, which helps poor communities in Kenya, and Five Talents, which provides microfinance in sub-Saharan Africa.
Asked why these charities, Peter said: “Because they each do amazing work making the world a better place for people in need in Africa. I have a personal connection in the past with all three.”

Last year Peter took part in the Nightrider all-night cycling challenge, helping UDS raise £20,000. This year he’s set his sights a little higher.

If you’d like to sponsor Peter’s efforts for UDS, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Peter-Mackenzie1

18th June 2013