Bishop Harold beats Olympic Athlete in Race!
On 30 December, Tearfund challenged Olympic Silver Medalist Peter Chambers and Bishop Harold Miller to climb 45 metres to the top of the Victoria Square Dome, while carrying 20 litres of water. This is only a fraction of the height and distance which Ugandan teenagers have to climb to get water every day, water that their families’ survival depends on. Both had been invited to launch a campaign that will bring clean water to more than 20 000 people in Africa.
Peter raced up the stairs to the top of the 45 metre high dome, carrying 20 litres of water. Bishop Harold also had 20 litres of water but he took the lift arriving at the top a few seconds ahead of the Olympic rower. When challenged he said, “We all need a lift in life at some point and for girls such as Doreen and Jouvlett life is often unfair, but we can all make a real difference to the mountains they face by supporting this campaign which will bring clean water to thousands of families across Africa.”
Peter Chambers said “That’s right, it costs just £7 to help provide clean water for one person. Visit the Tearfund website www.tearfund.org and be part of a miracle.”
Christian Relief and Development agency Tearfund was launching its “One Big Mountain” campaign which aims to bring clean water to more than 20 000 people across Africa. The campaign got of to a flying start with a donation of £150,000 from the Henderson Group. Between September and Christmas they donated 5p from the sale of every 2 litres of milk in SPAR, EUROSPAR, VIVO and VIVOXTRA stores across Northern Ireland. This will transform the lives of thousands of families in Uganda.
Tim Magowan Northern Ireland Director of Tearfund said; “This project will impact the lives of real individuals, families and whole communities. Take for example Beatrice, who I met recently in Uganda. Her daughters would have to travel by foot up to 4 hours a day to collect clean water. Since receiving a domestic water tank, her children now have the time to attend school and avoid the long and vulnerable journey to collect water each day. Through training, Beatrice has learnt how to install water tanks for others which has helped her earn money and increase her ability to feed her family”.
Previously Coleraine Olympians Peter and Richard Chambers had travelled to Uganda with Tearfund where they joined Doreen (aged 13) and Jouvllet (aged 11) on their daily 2 hour long trips to fetch water for their families. You can watch an inspirational video of their experiences here. www.tearfund.org/mountain