Briton in Malawi for charity: To run from Chitipa to Nsanje 650miles in aid of orphans under FOMO

A British citizen Brendan Rendall will from next week embark on a run from Chitipa to Nsanje to raise funds for the construction of a laboratory block at Friends of Mulanje Orphanage (FOMO) independent Secondary School.

Rendall plans to will run the race of approximately 1,300 kilometres called the ‘Run Malawi Challenge’ from the furthest point in Chitipa down to lowest point of Marka in Nsanje in 28 days.

Rendall said in an interview in Mulanje on Thursday that he is expected to raise £35,000 but has already managed to raise £19,268 from various donations from well wishers in his home country United Kingdom.

“I first came to Malawi in 2008 and toured some projects under Action Aid and I returned in 2009 and spent three weeks at FOMO and I was moved and inspired how the projects were helping the children.”

“I have been doing running challenges with the aim of raising money for FOMO and last year I participated in the ‘Coast to Coast Challenge’ in the UK where I run 309 kilometres in 8 days and it was during that run that I was inspired to return to Malawi with the idea of raising more money for FOMO and what a better way than to run the full length of the country,” said Rendall.

“I have been training hard for the last six months. Sometimes I run for about 25 kilometres a day and I am confident that I will finish the challenge and will have fun and share experiences while raising money for the construction of the laboratory. This is a better gift I can give to FOMO,” added Rendall.

He said he plans to be running for about 42 kilometres in a day and will be interacting with communities especially children during the challenge.

“If people can afford to donate any amount, it will be great, it will be a great gift to the children of FOMO,” said Rendall.

FOMO Founder Mary Woodworth whose Orphanage has 14 centres in Mulanje and looks after more than 5,000 Orphans and vulnerable children hailed Rendall for the effort.

She said Rendall will be supported by a fellow Briton Emma Timmis who will be cycling along the way.

Two years ago, Timmis herself run the Africa Challenge for charity from Namibia to Mozambique covering a distance of 4,000 miles.

“The Run Malawi Challenge is the best gift that Rendall can give to the children of Malawi and I appeal to Malawians to support Rendall in this challenge,” said Woodworth, a Briton of Malawian origin.

She said to donate; people can make online donations through www.justgiving/helpfomo35 and also through FOMO projects account number held at National Bank of Malawi account number 477478 and mobile money through TNM Mpamba number 0885965118.

FOMO Independent Secondary School which opened its doors about three years ago has an in-take of more than 300 students most of whom are orphans registered with FOMO.

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