I am raising funds for Ethiopiaid by taking part in the Ethiopiaid Challenge and Great Ethiopian Run. This November, I will be joining a small group of colleagues to travel to Ethiopias capital, Addis Ababa, to take part in an five-day challenge comprising of:

1.    Volunteering
I will assist with and serve the street childrens breakfast and deliver a carefully designed needs-based day of activities, games and play therapy at Cheshire Services rehabilitation centre.

2.    The Great Ethiopian Run
I will join nearly 40,000 people in Africa’s largest road race founded by the legendary Haile Gebreselassie. This is a rare opportunity to participate alongside some of Ethiopia's finest athletes in the home of long-distance running.

3.    Fundraising
I will be raising funds for Ethiopiaid to support the work of their local partners. I have committed to raising a minimum of £2,000 through sponsorship and other activities.

This is not a holiday, it will be hard work! This is an opportunity to use the education, stability and good health that I have always enjoyed to help those who have not had such luxuries. The team challenge will be a mental and physical challenge, aiming to provide funding and a transfer of core skills – ones that we take for granted – to help provide life changing benefits for some of the most poorest and deprived people. When I have completed the Challenge, I want to have left something meaningful and important that will have a lasting impact for generations to come. I would be most grateful if you donate via my just giving page. 

Who is Ethiopiaid?

Ethiopiaid is a small and effective charity that exists to raise funds for trusted community partners based largely in Addis Ababa. Our partners are chosen for their expertise, skill and ambition that would otherwise go to waste without all important funding.

The partners fall within three categories - poverty alleviation, healthcare and education. By targeting these areas Ethiopiaid can help the poorest to find their own way out of unnecessary suffering.

Aid is unrestricted. This means Ethiopiaid listens to its partners - those who know best - and mutually agree on the most effective way to contribute Ethiopiaids funds. This promotes self-sufficiency and long-term benefits to the community whilst ensuring that your donations are not wasted. We are lucky to have donated office space from REED and we employ a very small but dedicated team of staff. The charity keep things simple and concentrate on making the greatest impact it possibly can.

History
Ethiopiaid was established in London in 1989. Sir Alec Reed - founder of the Reed family of companies and REED Foundation - upon visiting Ethiopia, sought to make a positive difference by enabling communities to develop independently. Over the last 26 years, more than £33 million has been donated by the charity’s supporters and the impact has been widespread.

Why Ethiopiaid?
We are dedicated to Ethiopia - this allows us to focus, get to know our partners and fully understand their abilities and capacity. Together, we work to make a strong impact on the lives of local people.

We promote self-sufficiency - we don't want a quick fix - we want a lasting impact. We believe that Ethiopians have the answer to issues being faced today and that with the right support they can deliver the solutions themselves.