The Ethiopia Run Starts!

Today I will board a plane for Ethiopia with nine other runners and a team of support people to run a marathon-a-day for 10 consecutive days from the capital city of Addis Ababa through the Great Rift Valley to the Ethiopian Highlands. The reason is to raise funds to build three schools in a poor coffee growing region where an education is the best chance people have to achieve the most basic economic security – I am talking about shelter, clothes, and food to eat.

I am thrilled to report that more than 600 people have donated a total of over $100,000. It’s been a terrific team effort with dozens of people volunteering huge amounts of time and extraordinary dedication for this meaningful cause. Work has already begun on the first two schools (I will be visiting these communities soon and meeting the kids!) and we are confident that we have the momentum to raise the funds needed for the third school.

I know many of you have donated already and for that I am totally grateful. Thank you very much! For those of you who are excited about this cause but have yet to get involved by making a donation, I hope you will consider it because it really is a chance to make a gift that will directly help people in real need. The Run Across Ethiopia is a project of On the Ground, a 501c3 non-profit, so your gift is tax deductible. You can donate on line here: http://onthegroundglobal.org/On_The_Ground/DONATE.html you can send a check made out to "On the Ground" to

On the Ground
806 Red Drive, Suite 150
Traverse City, MI 49684 

We have a terrific crew of writers and videographers who will post regular updates as the run progresses. We start running on Sunday January 9th. You can find all the latest on the run by subscribing to e-mail alerts at  http://eepurl.com/b8fbv  Being a Facebook friend of “Run Across Ethiopia” is also a good way to stay tuned into the action. 

I really appreciate your involvement in supporting this. I will run a bit stronger knowing you are there with me.

Best wishes, and many thanks. Gotta run!

NIGEL