Hi Groovers,
I am posting this in the hope of gaining sponsorship for the coast to coast ride in aid of Niger and Save the children on the 14 October. Get your parents to sponsor me!
Niger is one of the world’s least developed, low-income, food insecure countries. It ranked 176 out of 177 in UNDP’s 2004 Human Development Index. 63% of the 12 million population live below the poverty line, with 34% being extremely poor. The infant mortality rate of 123/1000 is amongst the highest in the world.
The Sahara desert covers more than half the land surface of Niger to the north. The country faces yearly food shortages due to, amongst other causes, adverse climatic conditions. In 2004, the combined effects of drought and a locust invasion caused a loss in cereal production estimated at 7.5% compared to the average annual production over the past five years.
Up to 3.6 million people have been identified as vulnerable, with 2.5 million considered extremely vulnerable including 800,000 children under five. It is estimated that 150,000 of these children are malnourished.
Save the Children’s response aims in the immediate term to provide food supplements and associated medical and nutrients treatment to reduce mortality rates in the under five population. We are also ensuring access to primary health services and referring the most critical medical cases. Rations are being distributed to the families of beneficiaries to reduce vulnerability.
£10.00 could buy 500 sachets of oral rehydration salts
£25.00 could buy enough therapeutic food to feed 35 severely malnourished children
£50.00 would buy weighing scales which could be used in a feeding assessment centre
If you know anyone kind enough to sponsor me, please take a moment to send them the link to my online fundraising page.
It only take a minute to donate by credit or debit card. My page can be found at:
www.justgiving.com/tomrosomanc2c
All donations are secure and sent electronically to Save the Children. If you are a UK taxpayer, Justgiving will add an automatic 28% bonus to your donation at no cost to you. Please join me in supporting Save the Children and a fabulous cause!
Thanks and best wishes,
Tom
