I would love it if in some small way my story can inspire you to follow your
story can inspire you to follow your
story can inspire you to follow your dreams in life and who
dreams in life and who
dreams in life and who the ripple effects of the decisions I’ve
the ripple effects of the decisions I’ve
the ripple effects of the decisions I’ve made how they’ve guided my life path and
made how they’ve guided my life path and
made how they’ve guided my life path and how your decisions can guide yours if
how your decisions can guide yours if
how your decisions can guide yours if you follow what you’re passionate about
you follow what you’re passionate about
you follow what you’re passionate about in life as you can see from the picture
in life as you can see from the picture
in life as you can see from the picture on the left
on the left
on the left I’ve loved running since as long as I
I’ve loved running since as long as I
I’ve loved running since as long as I can remember but actually my involvement
can remember but actually my involvement
can remember but actually my involvement in the support them from long before
in the support them from long before
in the support them from long before that picture was taken after being born
that picture was taken after being born
that picture was taken after being born and before going home for the first time
and before going home for the first time
and before going home for the first time my mom and dad took me via a local
my mom and dad took me via a local
my mom and dad took me via a local cross-country race to cheat on some of
cross-country race to cheat on some of
cross-country race to cheat on some of my dad’s friends who were racing and so
my dad’s friends who were racing and so
my dad’s friends who were racing and so from that you would guess that I was
from that you would guess that I was
from that you would guess that I was destined for a career in athletics but I
destined for a career in athletics but I
destined for a career in athletics but I never felt pressured and I was always
never felt pressured and I was always
never felt pressured and I was always encouraged to enjoy running by my dad
encouraged to enjoy running by my dad
encouraged to enjoy running by my dad male who is a former international
male who is a former international
male who is a former international marathon runner my dad this is without a
marathon runner my dad this is without a
marathon runner my dad this is without a doubt one of my biggest inspirations in
doubt one of my biggest inspirations in
doubt one of my biggest inspirations in 2006 he was diagnosed with myeloma bone
2006 he was diagnosed with myeloma bone
2006 he was diagnosed with myeloma bone marrow cancer and I’ll never forget when
marrow cancer and I’ll never forget when
marrow cancer and I’ll never forget when I visit him in hospital for one of the
I visit him in hospital for one of the
I visit him in hospital for one of the first times as he was in the isolation
first times as he was in the isolation
first times as he was in the isolation ward and as we walked up the corridor
ward and as we walked up the corridor
ward and as we walked up the corridor and we saw many of the other patients
and we saw many of the other patients
and we saw many of the other patients understandably very tired from the
understandably very tired from the
understandably very tired from the treatment and hooked up to drips we got
treatment and hooked up to drips we got
treatment and hooked up to drips we got to my dad’s room and we heard this
to my dad’s room and we heard this
to my dad’s room and we heard this really funny noise and my mom and I said
really funny noise and my mom and I said
really funny noise and my mom and I said what on earth is he up to and as we’ve
what on earth is he up to and as we’ve
what on earth is he up to and as we’ve looked in the the window of the room we
looked in the the window of the room we
looked in the the window of the room we saw that he’d had an exercise bike
saw that he’d had an exercise bike
saw that he’d had an exercise bike installed into his room and he was
installed into his room and he was
installed into his room and he was hammering away on this thing with sweat
hammering away on this thing with sweat
hammering away on this thing with sweat dripping off him and I think back to
dripping off him and I think back to
dripping off him and I think back to that a lot Juden tough times and work
that a lot Juden tough times and work
that a lot Juden tough times and work and even Juden races if it becomes
and even Juden races if it becomes
and even Juden races if it becomes painful and I think if my dad can deal
painful and I think if my dad can deal
painful and I think if my dad can deal with cancer in that way I think I can
with cancer in that way I think I can
with cancer in that way I think I can deal with the pain of a cross-country
deal with the pain of a cross-country
deal with the pain of a cross-country race something my dad has always taught
race something my dad has always taught
race something my dad has always taught me as well as how important it is to
me as well as how important it is to
me as well as how important it is to help other people even if it’s something
help other people even if it’s something
help other people even if it’s something small like holding a door open for them
small like holding a door open for them
small like holding a door open for them you may never get that chance again and
you may never get that chance again and
you may never get that chance again and it’s important to take that opportunity
it’s important to take that opportunity
it’s important to take that opportunity when it arises in 2009 I was given the
when it arises in 2009 I was given the
when it arises in 2009 I was given the opportunity to be a pacemaker for two
opportunity to be a pacemaker for two
opportunity to be a pacemaker for two Kenyan athletes Gideon gamba on the
Kenyan athletes Gideon gamba on the
Kenyan athletes Gideon gamba on the right and second from the right path
right and second from the right path
right and second from the right path well Bergen now their goal that day for
well Bergen now their goal that day for
well Bergen now their goal that day for the opening of Aberdeen sports village
the opening of Aberdeen sports village
the opening of Aberdeen sports village was to try and run under four minutes
was to try and run under four minutes
was to try and run under four minutes for the mile for the first time in
for the mile for the first time in
for the mile for the first time in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen when we had a meeting with the two
when we had a meeting with the two
when we had a meeting with the two Kenyans before the race it became
Kenyans before the race it became
Kenyans before the race it became quickly apparent that I wasn’t even
quickly apparent that I wasn’t even
quickly apparent that I wasn’t even going to be able to keep up with them
going to be able to keep up with them
going to be able to keep up with them until half we two-piece make for them
until half we two-piece make for them
until half we two-piece make for them and so in the end I faced mate for the
and so in the end I faced mate for the
and so in the end I faced mate for the British athletes on the left
British athletes on the left
British athletes on the left side and these two guys with the help of
side and these two guys with the help of
side and these two guys with the help of Ian giddy for the first lap went on and
Ian giddy for the first lap went on and
Ian giddy for the first lap went on and around three minutes and 57 seconds for
around three minutes and 57 seconds for
around three minutes and 57 seconds for the male and I think it was then that
the male and I think it was then that
the male and I think it was then that started my fascination with Kenyan
started my fascination with Kenyan
started my fascination with Kenyan athletics and also how it was possible
athletics and also how it was possible
athletics and also how it was possible for humans to run quite that fast fast
for humans to run quite that fast fast
for humans to run quite that fast fast forward two years to 2011 I was working
forward two years to 2011 I was working
forward two years to 2011 I was working in a part-time job along with my friend
in a part-time job along with my friend
in a part-time job along with my friend Dan Mel here who’s second from the right
Dan Mel here who’s second from the right
Dan Mel here who’s second from the right in the picture and Dan said to me how
in the picture and Dan said to me how
in the picture and Dan said to me how would you like to come to Kenya for
would you like to come to Kenya for
would you like to come to Kenya for three months training and it took me all
three months training and it took me all
three months training and it took me all of about sixty Seconds to say yes and
of about sixty Seconds to say yes and
of about sixty Seconds to say yes and asked them to boot the flight so that I
asked them to boot the flight so that I
asked them to boot the flight so that I couldn’t talk myself out of it and so
couldn’t talk myself out of it and so
couldn’t talk myself out of it and so off we went to Kenya for the three
off we went to Kenya for the three
off we went to Kenya for the three months arriving to our accommodation
months arriving to our accommodation
months arriving to our accommodation which was two single mattresses on a
which was two single mattresses on a
which was two single mattresses on a muddy floor in a house which had no
muddy floor in a house which had no
muddy floor in a house which had no electricity that night and so we felt
electricity that night and so we felt
electricity that night and so we felt homesick also went into panic mode when
homesick also went into panic mode when
homesick also went into panic mode when I thought how am I going to charge my
I thought how am I going to charge my
I thought how am I going to charge my phone for the next few months and how am
phone for the next few months and how am
phone for the next few months and how am I gonna use my laptop thankfully it was
I gonna use my laptop thankfully it was
I gonna use my laptop thankfully it was it was a powerup which is a regular
it was a powerup which is a regular
it was a powerup which is a regular current so then he turned the time we’re
current so then he turned the time we’re
current so then he turned the time we’re seeing as you can see basic surroundings
seeing as you can see basic surroundings
seeing as you can see basic surroundings and lots of beans and past therefore it
and lots of beans and past therefore it
and lots of beans and past therefore it shows the extent of our cooking skills
shows the extent of our cooking skills
shows the extent of our cooking skills back then and not much has changed now
back then and not much has changed now
back then and not much has changed now either and the toilet process also took
either and the toilet process also took
either and the toilet process also took a lot of getting used to as well this
a lot of getting used to as well this
a lot of getting used to as well this store here called a London Marathon
store here called a London Marathon
store here called a London Marathon store any ten in Kenya and you would
store any ten in Kenya and you would
store any ten in Kenya and you would guess it would sell running clothes
guess it would sell running clothes
guess it would sell running clothes running kit entry forms for the London
running kit entry forms for the London
running kit entry forms for the London Marathon when in actual fact all it
Marathon when in actual fact all it
Marathon when in actual fact all it sells are things like bread and eggs and
sells are things like bread and eggs and
sells are things like bread and eggs and sweeties but the point in this story is
sweeties but the point in this story is
sweeties but the point in this story is that this shop is about five minutes
that this shop is about five minutes
that this shop is about five minutes that we from the home of this lady
that we from the home of this lady
that we from the home of this lady Mirikitani now this picture was taken 11
Mirikitani now this picture was taken 11
Mirikitani now this picture was taken 11 years ago after Amelia’s first release
years ago after Amelia’s first release
years ago after Amelia’s first release which was the shoot for Africa ten key
which was the shoot for Africa ten key
which was the shoot for Africa ten key in e10 and made he finished 21st that
in e10 and made he finished 21st that
in e10 and made he finished 21st that day and she said to the organizer Tobit
day and she said to the organizer Tobit
day and she said to the organizer Tobit answer afterwards that she would never
answer afterwards that she would never
answer afterwards that she would never finish outside the podium places again
finish outside the podium places again
finish outside the podium places again no true to her word
no true to her word
no true to her word Mirikitani has never gone on to win the
Mirikitani has never gone on to win the
Mirikitani has never gone on to win the London Madison twice the New York
London Madison twice the New York
London Madison twice the New York Marathon three times and become the
Marathon three times and become the
Marathon three times and become the second fastest female marathon runner
second fastest female marathon runner
second fastest female marathon runner over the madison over the madison
over the madison over the madison
over the madison over the madison distance none of this would have been
distance none of this would have been
distance none of this would have been possible had it not been for Hart her
possible had it not been for Hart her
possible had it not been for Hart her hard work and sacrifice as an athlete
hard work and sacrifice as an athlete
hard work and sacrifice as an athlete and it’s amazing to see the difference
and it’s amazing to see the difference
and it’s amazing to see the difference instances had in made his life her
instances had in made his life her
instances had in made his life her family and also the community around her
family and also the community around her
family and also the community around her and it really shows the power of sport
and it really shows the power of sport
and it really shows the power of sport and how it can change lives I went back
and how it can change lives I went back
and how it can change lives I went back to Kenya in 2012 I was able to train a
to Kenya in 2012 I was able to train a
to Kenya in 2012 I was able to train a little bit more unfortunately I was
little bit more unfortunately I was
little bit more unfortunately I was injured on the first trip the things
injured on the first trip the things
injured on the first trip the things I’ve learned most from Kenyan athletes
I’ve learned most from Kenyan athletes
I’ve learned most from Kenyan athletes are just the shear work ethic that
are just the shear work ethic that
are just the shear work ethic that they’ve got I thought I’d trained hard
they’ve got I thought I’d trained hard
they’ve got I thought I’d trained hard before going to Kenya and I was training
before going to Kenya and I was training
before going to Kenya and I was training maybe five or six times a week but going
maybe five or six times a week but going
maybe five or six times a week but going there realizing that these guys trained
there realizing that these guys trained
there realizing that these guys trained two or three times a day just shows how
two or three times a day just shows how
two or three times a day just shows how they can how they do become so
they can how they do become so
they can how they do become so successful and the track that we’re
successful and the track that we’re
successful and the track that we’re running on there is the main running
running on there is the main running
running on there is the main running track in e10 so this is the track which
track in e10 so this is the track which
track in e10 so this is the track which has produced multiple World and Olympic
has produced multiple World and Olympic
has produced multiple World and Olympic champions and world record holders as
champions and world record holders as
champions and world record holders as well and it just goes to show that you
well and it just goes to show that you
well and it just goes to show that you don’t always need the best facilities in
don’t always need the best facilities in
don’t always need the best facilities in order to become successful on that trip
order to become successful on that trip
order to become successful on that trip I spent a lot of time with Gideon get
I spent a lot of time with Gideon get
I spent a lot of time with Gideon get them both one of the Kenyan athletes who
them both one of the Kenyan athletes who
them both one of the Kenyan athletes who had arias and Aberdeen back in 2000 a
had arias and Aberdeen back in 2000 a
had arias and Aberdeen back in 2000 a nine and not only was it amazing – Trina
nine and not only was it amazing – Trina
nine and not only was it amazing – Trina alongside a world-class athlete but it
alongside a world-class athlete but it
alongside a world-class athlete but it was incredible to see a different set
was incredible to see a different set
was incredible to see a different set there’s any friends and family of Gideon
there’s any friends and family of Gideon
there’s any friends and family of Gideon and the community around him one of
and the community around him one of
and the community around him one of these experiences which really touched
these experiences which really touched
these experiences which really touched my heart and certainly on a life path I
my heart and certainly on a life path I
my heart and certainly on a life path I never imagined possible was a visit to
never imagined possible was a visit to
never imagined possible was a visit to the pavilion village Children’s Home in
the pavilion village Children’s Home in
the pavilion village Children’s Home in Cavatina now at that point there was 22
Cavatina now at that point there was 22
Cavatina now at that point there was 22 children in the home a lot of them had
children in the home a lot of them had
children in the home a lot of them had lost their parents due to HIV they were
lost their parents due to HIV they were
lost their parents due to HIV they were all out of school due to a lack of fees
all out of school due to a lack of fees
all out of school due to a lack of fees they were short on food the windows were
they were short on food the windows were
they were short on food the windows were broken as you can see in the photo there
broken as you can see in the photo there
broken as you can see in the photo there and we were really struck as we were
and we were really struck as we were
and we were really struck as we were shown around the home the kids were so
shown around the home the kids were so
shown around the home the kids were so happy and so proud of their surroundings
happy and so proud of their surroundings
happy and so proud of their surroundings despite us being quite tough the bedroom
despite us being quite tough the bedroom
despite us being quite tough the bedroom on the left and their kitchen on the
on the left and their kitchen on the
on the left and their kitchen on the right when I got home to the UK I posted
right when I got home to the UK I posted
right when I got home to the UK I posted this picture on my Facebook page and
this picture on my Facebook page and
this picture on my Facebook page and said to my friends that I would like to
said to my friends that I would like to
said to my friends that I would like to try and raise enough to get a mattress
try and raise enough to get a mattress
try and raise enough to get a mattress for each of the children for that
for each of the children for that
for each of the children for that Christmas so the target was – it says at
Christmas so the target was – it says at
Christmas so the target was – it says at 22 pounds each and we wanted to try and
22 pounds each and we wanted to try and
22 pounds each and we wanted to try and raise 484 pounds and amazingly over the
raise 484 pounds and amazingly over the
raise 484 pounds and amazingly over the next couple of days we raised almost
next couple of days we raised almost
next couple of days we raised almost three times that
three times that
three times that and we were able to get the match that’s
and we were able to get the match that’s
and we were able to get the match that’s delivered in a typical Kenyan stay or
delivered in a typical Kenyan stay or
delivered in a typical Kenyan stay or delivery and with the that’s nothing
delivery and with the that’s nothing
delivery and with the that’s nothing compared to some of the season cupboards
compared to some of the season cupboards
compared to some of the season cupboards as well but with the extra money we were
as well but with the extra money we were
as well but with the extra money we were able to get some of the children back
able to get some of the children back
able to get some of the children back into school and eating regular meals as
into school and eating regular meals as
into school and eating regular meals as well and so Gideon and I spoke a lot
well and so Gideon and I spoke a lot
well and so Gideon and I spoke a lot about what we wanted to do for children
about what we wanted to do for children
about what we wanted to do for children in Kenya and how we felt like we could
in Kenya and how we felt like we could
in Kenya and how we felt like we could do so much more and with us in mind we
do so much more and with us in mind we
do so much more and with us in mind we set up the Gotham Bay Edwards foundation
set up the Gotham Bay Edwards foundation
set up the Gotham Bay Edwards foundation now many athletes come to Kenya and tree
now many athletes come to Kenya and tree
now many athletes come to Kenya and tree in any debt and make future their
in any debt and make future their
in any debt and make future their success as athletes but every day they
success as athletes but every day they
success as athletes but every day they run past children who are out of school
run past children who are out of school
run past children who are out of school sleeping on mud floors and they do
sleeping on mud floors and they do
sleeping on mud floors and they do nothing but it was clear to me from
nothing but it was clear to me from
nothing but it was clear to me from those experiences with Gideon and
those experiences with Gideon and
those experiences with Gideon and despite being a former world record
despite being a former world record
despite being a former world record holder he had a huge passion for helping
holder he had a huge passion for helping
holder he had a huge passion for helping disadvantaged children and he could
disadvantaged children and he could
disadvantaged children and he could relate to their struggles as he had a
relate to their struggles as he had a
relate to their struggles as he had a very tough upbringing himself as well
very tough upbringing himself as well
very tough upbringing himself as well but also I would have sport and how had
but also I would have sport and how had
but also I would have sport and how had neither of us followed our talents as
neither of us followed our talents as
neither of us followed our talents as athletes I may never have gone to Kenya
athletes I may never have gone to Kenya
athletes I may never have gone to Kenya we may never have met and the
we may never have met and the
we may never have met and the fundraising may never have taken place
fundraising may never have taken place
fundraising may never have taken place and so we set up the foundation which
and so we set up the foundation which
and so we set up the foundation which now supports two hundred and forty-three
now supports two hundred and forty-three
now supports two hundred and forty-three children across different parts of Kenya
children across different parts of Kenya
children across different parts of Kenya and we’ve been able to build 17 houses
and we’ve been able to build 17 houses
and we’ve been able to build 17 houses for 73 children now when I think back to
for 73 children now when I think back to
for 73 children now when I think back to trying to raise money for 22 mattresses
trying to raise money for 22 mattresses
trying to raise money for 22 mattresses it just really shows you what can be
it just really shows you what can be
it just really shows you what can be achieved when you follow what you’re
achieved when you follow what you’re
achieved when you follow what you’re passionate about it’s been amazing for
passionate about it’s been amazing for
passionate about it’s been amazing for us to see for some of these children now
us to see for some of these children now
us to see for some of these children now young adults like Peter and Elliot who
young adults like Peter and Elliot who
young adults like Peter and Elliot who are studying at university in college in
are studying at university in college in
are studying at university in college in Nairobi and Caroline who’s graduated as
Nairobi and Caroline who’s graduated as
Nairobi and Caroline who’s graduated as as a teacher have gone on to achieve
as a teacher have gone on to achieve
as a teacher have gone on to achieve they would have been achieving these
they would have been achieving these
they would have been achieving these things anyway had it not been for just a
things anyway had it not been for just a
things anyway had it not been for just a relatively small amount of money and so
relatively small amount of money and so
relatively small amount of money and so it’s so inspiring for us and our younger
it’s so inspiring for us and our younger
it’s so inspiring for us and our younger children to see them realizing their
children to see them realizing their
children to see them realizing their dreams now these are four lessons which
dreams now these are four lessons which
dreams now these are four lessons which I’ve learned from families that we work
I’ve learned from families that we work
I’ve learned from families that we work with in Kenya firstly appreciating what
with in Kenya firstly appreciating what
with in Kenya firstly appreciating what you have secondly staying positive
you have secondly staying positive
you have secondly staying positive thirdly complaining less and smiling
thirdly complaining less and smiling
thirdly complaining less and smiling more and finally never giving up because
more and finally never giving up because
more and finally never giving up because situations can change the first lesson
situations can change the first lesson
situations can change the first lesson this house on the left is where the
this house on the left is where the
this house on the left is where the older children at the pavillion village
older children at the pavillion village
older children at the pavillion village were sleeping when we first visited and
were sleeping when we first visited and
were sleeping when we first visited and as you can see from the picture on the
as you can see from the picture on the
as you can see from the picture on the right but holes in the roofs and in the
right but holes in the roofs and in the
right but holes in the roofs and in the roof and holes in the walls so when it
roof and holes in the walls so when it
roof and holes in the walls so when it rains and they’re sleeping the rain was
rains and they’re sleeping the rain was
rains and they’re sleeping the rain was coming through our volunteers were able
coming through our volunteers were able
coming through our volunteers were able to build the 16 bed dormitory for the
to build the 16 bed dormitory for the
to build the 16 bed dormitory for the children with a living room and study
children with a living room and study
children with a living room and study area one of the most amazing things I’ve
area one of the most amazing things I’ve
area one of the most amazing things I’ve seen due to my time in Kenya was when we
seen due to my time in Kenya was when we
seen due to my time in Kenya was when we installed the washing machine the
installed the washing machine the
installed the washing machine the children sat in front of it for 30
children sat in front of it for 30
children sat in front of it for 30 minutes as if it was a television now
minutes as if it was a television now
minutes as if it was a television now I’m not sayin to you I’m not sayin to
I’m not sayin to you I’m not sayin to
I’m not sayin to you I’m not sayin to you to go home and sit at your washing
you to go home and sit at your washing
you to go home and sit at your washing machine for 30 minutes but it does make
machine for 30 minutes but it does make
machine for 30 minutes but it does make you realize how important it is to
you realize how important it is to
you realize how important it is to appreciate what you have and take things
appreciate what you have and take things
appreciate what you have and take things for granted just that little bit less
for granted just that little bit less
for granted just that little bit less secondly this family the girl at
secondly this family the girl at
secondly this family the girl at top-left Sakura calls Eddie now she
top-left Sakura calls Eddie now she
top-left Sakura calls Eddie now she lived in a single room mud house with
lived in a single room mud house with
lived in a single room mud house with her 8 brothers and sisters sleeping on a
her 8 brothers and sisters sleeping on a
her 8 brothers and sisters sleeping on a mud floor anything their dinner with no
mud floor anything their dinner with no
mud floor anything their dinner with no furniture our volunteers were able to
furniture our volunteers were able to
furniture our volunteers were able to build the house for them on the right
build the house for them on the right
build the house for them on the right and as part of a fundraiser I went and
and as part of a fundraiser I went and
and as part of a fundraiser I went and spent a night on the mud floor with my
spent a night on the mud floor with my
spent a night on the mud floor with my colleague David at first I tried to
colleague David at first I tried to
colleague David at first I tried to sleep on my left side it became too sore
sleep on my left side it became too sore
sleep on my left side it became too sore moved over to the right it became too
moved over to the right it became too
moved over to the right it became too sore and so I spent 8 hours staring at
sore and so I spent 8 hours staring at
sore and so I spent 8 hours staring at the ceiling unable to sleep and in a
the ceiling unable to sleep and in a
the ceiling unable to sleep and in a room filled with smoke because of the
room filled with smoke because of the
room filled with smoke because of the charcoal they use for cooking and it was
charcoal they use for cooking and it was
charcoal they use for cooking and it was tough but it was one night and these
tough but it was one night and these
tough but it was one night and these children were sleeping like that every
children were sleeping like that every
children were sleeping like that every night of their lives and it really made
night of their lives and it really made
night of their lives and it really made it me realize how tough it was to be a
it me realize how tough it was to be a
it me realize how tough it was to be a child in Kenya and it made us even more
child in Kenya and it made us even more
child in Kenya and it made us even more determined to try and change that the
determined to try and change that the
determined to try and change that the lesson I’ve learned from them is these
lesson I’ve learned from them is these
lesson I’ve learned from them is these pictures you would guess were maybe
pictures you would guess were maybe
pictures you would guess were maybe taken after the house was built but each
taken after the house was built but each
taken after the house was built but each and every one of these pictures was
and every one of these pictures was
and every one of these pictures was taken before their house was built and
taken before their house was built and
taken before their house was built and it shows how important it is to stay
it shows how important it is to stay
it shows how important it is to stay positive despite the struggles that
positive despite the struggles that
positive despite the struggles that you’re facing this man Daniel sadly lost
you’re facing this man Daniel sadly lost
you’re facing this man Daniel sadly lost his wife and now looks after their three
his wife and now looks after their three
his wife and now looks after their three children the story five children
children the story five children
children the story five children single-handedly and despite his
single-handedly and despite his
single-handedly and despite his struggles he never complains and is
struggles he never complains and is
struggles he never complains and is always smiling as you can see from the
always smiling as you can see from the
always smiling as you can see from the picture on the left he has a broken left
picture on the left he has a broken left
picture on the left he has a broken left arm six years ago he fell off a tree and
arm six years ago he fell off a tree and
arm six years ago he fell off a tree and broke both his arms and was only able to
broke both his arms and was only able to
broke both his arms and was only able to afford the operation to fix one of them
afford the operation to fix one of them
afford the operation to fix one of them and so for the past six years he’s lived
and so for the past six years he’s lived
and so for the past six years he’s lived with a broken arm working full-time to
with a broken arm working full-time to
with a broken arm working full-time to support his family and
support his family and
support his family and never complaints and so I’m delighted to
never complaints and so I’m delighted to
never complaints and so I’m delighted to see that Daniel will be getting a second
see that Daniel will be getting a second
see that Daniel will be getting a second armed operated and born in a couple of
armed operated and born in a couple of
armed operated and born in a couple of weeks time and it will be incredible to
weeks time and it will be incredible to
weeks time and it will be incredible to see what he can achieve the final lesson
see what he can achieve the final lesson
see what he can achieve the final lesson sure in that situations can’t change the
sure in that situations can’t change the
sure in that situations can’t change the two boys at the top left are Oscar and
two boys at the top left are Oscar and
two boys at the top left are Oscar and Stanley who were living in this house
Stanley who were living in this house
Stanley who were living in this house with their mom Mary and their brother
with their mom Mary and their brother
with their mom Mary and their brother Paul and they were so short on food that
Paul and they were so short on food that
Paul and they were so short on food that they were eating the soil of their house
they were eating the soil of their house
they were eating the soil of their house to get iron into their diet an amazing
to get iron into their diet an amazing
to get iron into their diet an amazing friend of mine Alan Brown after visiting
friend of mine Alan Brown after visiting
friend of mine Alan Brown after visiting the family denieth of the two thousand
the family denieth of the two thousand
the family denieth of the two thousand pounds which we needed to build them a
pounds which we needed to build them a
pounds which we needed to build them a new house and so as you can see from the
new house and so as you can see from the
new house and so as you can see from the bottom left picture they’re living
bottom left picture they’re living
bottom left picture they’re living happily in their new home and it was
happily in their new home and it was
happily in their new home and it was named Archie’s house after Alan’s family
named Archie’s house after Alan’s family
named Archie’s house after Alan’s family dog who sadly passed away at the time of
dog who sadly passed away at the time of
dog who sadly passed away at the time of the building Jude in their struggles and
the building Jude in their struggles and
the building Jude in their struggles and merely their mom their her neighbor
merely their mom their her neighbor
merely their mom their her neighbor often mocked them for the the struggles
often mocked them for the the struggles
often mocked them for the the struggles that they were in and did nothing to
that they were in and did nothing to
that they were in and did nothing to support them and so it was amazing for
support them and so it was amazing for
support them and so it was amazing for us to see over 150 people turn up to the
us to see over 150 people turn up to the
us to see over 150 people turn up to the official house opening ceremony and I’ve
official house opening ceremony and I’ve
official house opening ceremony and I’ve never seen middie smile like that before
never seen middie smile like that before
never seen middie smile like that before and so the lesson here is that
and so the lesson here is that
and so the lesson here is that situations can change but also it’s
situations can change but also it’s
situations can change but also it’s great to see that it’s merely laughing
great to see that it’s merely laughing
great to see that it’s merely laughing now and not her neighbor all of these
now and not her neighbor all of these
now and not her neighbor all of these experiences have milp and motivated me a
experiences have milp and motivated me a
experiences have milp and motivated me a huge amount and but I’ve also been
huge amount and but I’ve also been
huge amount and but I’ve also been motivated by a number of people too
motivated by a number of people too
motivated by a number of people too none more so than my friend Neil Jaffrey
none more so than my friend Neil Jaffrey
none more so than my friend Neil Jaffrey who was sadly killed in a road accident
who was sadly killed in a road accident
who was sadly killed in a road accident in 2014 Neil was a huge supporter of me
in 2014 Neil was a huge supporter of me
in 2014 Neil was a huge supporter of me as an athlete and of the foundation as
as an athlete and of the foundation as
as an athlete and of the foundation as well and I often when I wake up each
well and I often when I wake up each
well and I often when I wake up each morning I think what would Neil want me
morning I think what would Neil want me
morning I think what would Neil want me to do now you know would he want me to
to do now you know would he want me to
to do now you know would he want me to sleep in no if I’m out when I run would
sleep in no if I’m out when I run would
sleep in no if I’m out when I run would he want me to slow down no he would want
he want me to slow down no he would want
he want me to slow down no he would want me to go for it and so that’s a big
me to go for it and so that’s a big
me to go for it and so that’s a big motivator to me and work and in sport
motivator to me and work and in sport
motivator to me and work and in sport and also making sure that his three
and also making sure that his three
and also making sure that his three little girls are okay and achieve their
little girls are okay and achieve their
little girls are okay and achieve their dreams in life is a big motivator too
dreams in life is a big motivator too
dreams in life is a big motivator too and it was amazing this morning to see
and it was amazing this morning to see
and it was amazing this morning to see Jessica and the middle they’re so
Jessica and the middle they’re so
Jessica and the middle they’re so excited on her fifth birthday party all
excited on her fifth birthday party all
excited on her fifth birthday party all these experiences have also inspired me
these experiences have also inspired me
these experiences have also inspired me on the track too and going into the
on the track too and going into the
on the track too and going into the Scottish Championships in 2015 I was by
Scottish Championships in 2015 I was by
Scottish Championships in 2015 I was by no means the favorite I hadn’t had a
no means the favorite I hadn’t had a
no means the favorite I hadn’t had a great season the night before the race
great season the night before the race
great season the night before the race my dad said to me when you get into that
my dad said to me when you get into that
my dad said to me when you get into that home street tell yourself that no
home street tell yourself that no
home street tell yourself that no he has more guts and determination than
he has more guts and determination than
he has more guts and determination than you now it doesn’t matter that if that’s
you now it doesn’t matter that if that’s
you now it doesn’t matter that if that’s true but the most important thing is
true but the most important thing is
true but the most important thing is what you believe and those words were
what you believe and those words were
what you believe and those words were ringing in my ears as I came into the
ringing in my ears as I came into the
ringing in my ears as I came into the home Street and I worked harder than
home Street and I worked harder than
home Street and I worked harder than ever to get to the finish line first
ever to get to the finish line first
ever to get to the finish line first crossing the line a Scottish champion
crossing the line a Scottish champion
crossing the line a Scottish champion was one of the best moments of my life
was one of the best moments of my life
was one of the best moments of my life and something that I’ll never forget and
and something that I’ll never forget and
and something that I’ll never forget and it simply wouldn’t have been possible
it simply wouldn’t have been possible
it simply wouldn’t have been possible had I not followed my dreams and going
had I not followed my dreams and going
had I not followed my dreams and going to Kenya in the first place
to Kenya in the first place
to Kenya in the first place unfortunately this has been my life
unfortunately this has been my life
unfortunately this has been my life since so for the last 18 months I’ve had
since so for the last 18 months I’ve had
since so for the last 18 months I’ve had a series of injuries and underwent knee
a series of injuries and underwent knee
a series of injuries and underwent knee surgery in June of last year and it has
surgery in June of last year and it has
surgery in June of last year and it has been frustrating but bad things happen
been frustrating but bad things happen
been frustrating but bad things happen to everyone and the most important thing
to everyone and the most important thing
to everyone and the most important thing is how do you deal with them it can be
is how do you deal with them it can be
is how do you deal with them it can be frustrating seeing people that you’ve
frustrating seeing people that you’ve
frustrating seeing people that you’ve raced against achieving things that you
raced against achieving things that you
raced against achieving things that you feel like you could achieve as well but
feel like you could achieve as well but
feel like you could achieve as well but it’s so important to stay positive and
it’s so important to stay positive and
it’s so important to stay positive and use that as a motivation to get back and
use that as a motivation to get back and
use that as a motivation to get back and achieve what you believe you can being
achieve what you believe you can being
achieve what you believe you can being our injured taught me how precious time
our injured taught me how precious time
our injured taught me how precious time is you know time can be a funny thing
is you know time can be a funny thing
is you know time can be a funny thing and in cecht training sessions before
and in cecht training sessions before
and in cecht training sessions before the injury I would often be wishing time
the injury I would often be wishing time
the injury I would often be wishing time away if I had 15 minutes left to go on a
away if I had 15 minutes left to go on a
away if I had 15 minutes left to go on a run I’d be dreading it and wishing I
run I’d be dreading it and wishing I
run I’d be dreading it and wishing I only had five now when I’m on the gym
only had five now when I’m on the gym
only had five now when I’m on the gym bike and I hate the gym bike when I’m on
bike and I hate the gym bike when I’m on
bike and I hate the gym bike when I’m on the gym bike and I see two minutes to go
the gym bike and I see two minutes to go
the gym bike and I see two minutes to go I want more I want five minutes and you
I want more I want five minutes and you
I want more I want five minutes and you know it just shows you that negative
know it just shows you that negative
know it just shows you that negative things can be turned into positives too
things can be turned into positives too
things can be turned into positives too I think this is a really important
I think this is a really important
I think this is a really important question to ask yourself on a regular
question to ask yourself on a regular
question to ask yourself on a regular basis what does your why so basically
basis what does your why so basically
basis what does your why so basically what is your biggest motivator what gets
what is your biggest motivator what gets
what is your biggest motivator what gets you out of bed every morning for me it’s
you out of bed every morning for me it’s
you out of bed every morning for me it’s about working hard to meet the people
about working hard to meet the people
about working hard to meet the people who have supported me proud and doing
who have supported me proud and doing
who have supported me proud and doing what I can to support them and that can
what I can to support them and that can
what I can to support them and that can be transferred into anything that you do
be transferred into anything that you do
be transferred into anything that you do in life Sport was my vehicle but
in life Sport was my vehicle but
in life Sport was my vehicle but whatever your interests if you follow
whatever your interests if you follow
whatever your interests if you follow what you’re passionate about it can
what you’re passionate about it can
what you’re passionate about it can become a career I want to finish off by
become a career I want to finish off by
become a career I want to finish off by telling you the story of a little girl
telling you the story of a little girl
telling you the story of a little girl called faith bungee COO who I first met
called faith bungee COO who I first met
called faith bungee COO who I first met with our volunteers in October 2015
with our volunteers in October 2015
with our volunteers in October 2015 as we visited her school there were
as we visited her school there were
as we visited her school there were about 500 children all lined up shaking
about 500 children all lined up shaking
about 500 children all lined up shaking our hands and high-fiving us and our
our hands and high-fiving us and our
our hands and high-fiving us and our face went past I realized that she
face went past I realized that she
face went past I realized that she didn’t have any hands and so when the
didn’t have any hands and so when the
didn’t have any hands and so when the volunteers went back to the house
volunteers went back to the house
volunteers went back to the house building sites I went into the classroom
building sites I went into the classroom
building sites I went into the classroom to see how faith was functioning in a
to see how faith was functioning in a
to see how faith was functioning in a mainstream school and despite having no
mainstream school and despite having no
mainstream school and despite having no hands and also no feet which you would
hands and also no feet which you would
hands and also no feet which you would never have known
never have known
never have known she sprinted about the classroom which
she sprinted about the classroom which
she sprinted about the classroom which is position 5 of 52 in our class and had
is position 5 of 52 in our class and had
is position 5 of 52 in our class and had incredibly neat handwriting
incredibly neat handwriting
incredibly neat handwriting after visiting the school we went to see
after visiting the school we went to see
after visiting the school we went to see Fitz house and as you can see her mom
Fitz house and as you can see her mom
Fitz house and as you can see her mom and faith shared this bedroom which also
and faith shared this bedroom which also
and faith shared this bedroom which also had a wheelbarrow in the room and gaps
had a wheelbarrow in the room and gaps
had a wheelbarrow in the room and gaps in the walls thanks the people that have
in the walls thanks the people that have
in the walls thanks the people that have supported us we were able to build faith
supported us we were able to build faith
supported us we were able to build faith a new house and dude in the building
a new house and dude in the building
a new house and dude in the building project faith and her mom each night
project faith and her mom each night
project faith and her mom each night despite the builders telling them
despite the builders telling them
despite the builders telling them otherwise we’d walk up and down the
otherwise we’d walk up and down the
otherwise we’d walk up and down the slippery muddy path filling out water
slippery muddy path filling out water
slippery muddy path filling out water cans faith with her little yellow yellow
cans faith with her little yellow yellow
cans faith with her little yellow yellow jelly can and her mom with 18 litres of
jelly can and her mom with 18 litres of
jelly can and her mom with 18 litres of water on her back and faith mom also has
water on her back and faith mom also has
water on her back and faith mom also has no hands and feet due to a genetic
no hands and feet due to a genetic
no hands and feet due to a genetic condition but they wanted to do that to
condition but they wanted to do that to
condition but they wanted to do that to fill up the water tank which the
fill up the water tank which the
fill up the water tank which the builders required to be filled just as a
builders required to be filled just as a
builders required to be filled just as a token of their appreciation to thank the
token of their appreciation to thank the
token of their appreciation to thank the builders for what they were doing for
builders for what they were doing for
builders for what they were doing for them it’s amazing to see what faith and
them it’s amazing to see what faith and
them it’s amazing to see what faith and her mom achieve faith draws the most
her mom achieve faith draws the most
her mom achieve faith draws the most lovely pictures her mom chops wood opens
lovely pictures her mom chops wood opens
lovely pictures her mom chops wood opens padlocks cooks meals carries water and
padlocks cooks meals carries water and
padlocks cooks meals carries water and throughout all of this they never stop
throughout all of this they never stop
throughout all of this they never stop smiling
smiling
smiling and so what faith and her mom have
and so what faith and her mom have
and so what faith and her mom have taught me is that if anyone ever tells
taught me is that if anyone ever tells
taught me is that if anyone ever tells you in life that you’re not capable of
you in life that you’re not capable of
you in life that you’re not capable of doing something whether it’s because of
doing something whether it’s because of
doing something whether it’s because of age gender ability or even injury think
age gender ability or even injury think
age gender ability or even injury think of faith and prove them wrong this is a
of faith and prove them wrong this is a
of faith and prove them wrong this is a quote from Nelson Mandela which has
quote from Nelson Mandela which has
quote from Nelson Mandela which has inspired me a lot over the years but
inspired me a lot over the years but
inspired me a lot over the years but there’s one thing I’d like you to take
there’s one thing I’d like you to take
there’s one thing I’d like you to take from today it’s this make a difference
from today it’s this make a difference
from today it’s this make a difference wherever however and whenever you can
wherever however and whenever you can
wherever however and whenever you can because you may never get that chance
because you may never get that chance
because you may never get that chance again and you never know what it can
again and you never know what it can
again and you never know what it can take someone else or yourself run
take someone else or yourself run
take someone else or yourself run towards your dreams and remember if your
towards your dreams and remember if your
towards your dreams and remember if your work inspires others then it’s got no
work inspires others then it’s got no
work inspires others then it’s got no finish line thank you
”
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