Emergency earthquake funds and a marathon effort
Two stories have rather dominated this month’s Good Deed Feed. The first of which has come in response to a terrible tragedy that’s happened in the last few days.
The mountain nation of Nepal, home to the mighty Mount Everest, suffered a huge earthquake in recent days that has left well in excess of 3,000 people dead and many more missing.
The 7.8-magnitude quake destroyed buildings across the country and in the capital Kathmandu. However, perhaps a greater problem was the avalanches that accompanied the quake and subsequent aftershocks that were making rescue operations very difficult.
Part of the Mount Everest Base Camp was also hit by an avalanche, with a number of climbers being killed.
The UK government has pledged £5 million to help those affected by the quake and has sent more help to aid in the clean up and rescue operations. The Queen was also said to be: ‘shocked to hear of the appalling loss of life and injuries’.
A UK search and rescue team, travelling with the RAF, has already left for Nepal. Major UK charities such as Oxfam, Save the Children and Christian Aid have also set up donation funds should you want to contribute. Christian Aid has already sent upwards of £50,000 in donations but much more will be needed to prevent this disaster becoming an even bigger catastrophe as bad weather and water shortages hamper salvage and humanitarian operations.
Marathon Effort
In slightly better news, on Sunday 26 April, 38,000 people took to the streets of London to run, walk and wheel themselves around a gruelling 26-mile course in aid of a huge array of good causes in the Virgin Money London Marathon.
It was the biggest race in the event’s 35-year history and organisers are hoping that they have beaten last year’s previous best of raising more than £53.2 million for various good causes, including everything from cancer charities to disables access and evac chairs.
The race was also notable for it being Paula Radcliffe’s last race and for couple Laura Harvey and Paul Elliot, who got married on the way around at Tower Bridge.
So, mixed news this month in the good deed feed. Obviously a terrible tragedy in Nepal but if we can react well and do our bit, it will be a happy ending to a very sad story.