Yvonne is a tough and determined competitor and we are delighted and privileged to have her on our team. ‘I am good friends with Mike Conway and he spoke to me about the Catholic Today/CAFOD campaign to raise funds for the people of Zimbabwe. To be honest I just had to do something to help. I think its such a sin that people today have to go hungry and for me there is a way that the Zimbabwean crisis has gone off the radar a bit. I think that is wrong because the people there are going through a terrible time. ‘I wanted to do something to help and I feel very privileged to be doing it for such a good cause and for such a terrific organization as CAFOD. I have a niggling knee injury and am more used to cycling but I am going to give it my best shot and I know in my heart that I am running for a really great cause and that will make all the difference.’
‘In 2005 I ran the London Marathon for charity, and I promised myself I’d never do anything like that again. Yet 4 years on, I’m reacquainting myself with all the aches and pains that come along with training for long-distance running events!
‘Some years ago I spent a couple of months working in Kenya with the Mill Hill Missionaries which made a deep impact on me, the people of Africa and the difficulties they face are still very much in my thoughts and memories.
‘Perhaps it was this that prompted me to dig out my trainers when the opportunity came to raise some funds for CAFOD’s ‘Zimbabwe Appeal’. Knowing that the money raised will be specifically for Caritas, Zimbabwe’s Emergency Food Programme is a further incentive, as we can trust that every mile run (or rather, jogged) will be helping to feed Zimbabwe’s poor and hungry.
‘I know that the Great North Run will bring much needed help to so many different charities, and pray that all those taking part will enjoy a safe and successful day.’
Fr Peter Norton, Kings Heath
‘I decided to run for Catholic Today/Cafod as the maternity crisis in Zimbabwe struck me on a personal level, as I am about to begin my third year of midwifery training. I believe that I have a personal responsibility to attempt to ensure that all babies born have a mother to care for them. So on September 20 I will be supporting Catholic Today/CAFOD in their endeavour to improve the standards for ALL women, worldwide.’
The rest of the Vince family, dad Peter, brother Daniel and sisters Rachel and Sarah from Kings Norton also make up the Catholic Today team. Peter said: “It’s a great honour for me to run with my four children knowing that we are all supporting the work of CAFOD and on that basis, I will not mind being the slowest!”
Abigail Vince
To make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/catholictodayteam
