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StreetChildCFNorfolk-grown international charity Street Child is ten 

Christian charity Street Child UK, started by local man Tom Dannatt is marking its tenth anniversary with a big fundraising push, backed by government match-funding.
 


Moved by witnessing extreme poverty in Sierra Leone in 2008, Tom Dannatt, who attends St Thomas’ church in Norwich, set up a mission to support 100 homeless children. Over the last decade this mission has consolidated into an international charity spanning 10 countries and helping more than 200,000 young people access education and a further 15,000 families set up businesses in their home towns.

The charity has launched a new appeal Count Me In, which focuses on training teachers and refurbishing classrooms in impoverished areas and getting resources such as uniforms and books to students.

The charity’s patrons Sarah, Duchess of York and Princess Eugenie attended a gala dinner last month to mark the decade milestone for Streetchild UK and launched the campaign on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

In recognition of the charity’s extensive aid work, the UK government is doubling all donations received between now and February 21 2019 as part of its aid match-fund initiative.

The Count Me In campaign highlights the fact that there are 121 million school-aged children around the world who are not in education. Millions more are in school but fail to learn because the resources simply aren’t good enough. The charity is aiming to raise up to £2 million from the public, and is vowing to fight for a world where it is seen as unacceptable for a child not to be in education.

The government fund-matching is set to have a big impact on what the charity can provide.

Tom Dannatt said: “This is quite simply the best birthday present ever and a wonderful way to celebrate Street Child’s journey from 100 to 200,000 children and we are ambitious to do so much more in the next  ten years.”

A £15 donation would become £30, enough to cover school fees, uniform and learning materials for one child.

A donation of £40, raised to £90 by the fund-match scheme, would provide learning materials for an entire class.

More information about where the money goes and how to donate can be found here:  https://www.street-child.co.uk/donate
 

Thetford Forest Run

Bookings are now open for the Norfolk Half Craft marathon and 10k on February 2.

Set in the beautiful Thetford Forest, options are available for a half marathon or 10K run with a twist: run through stunning forest trails and stop every 2 miles to ‘refuel’ where you can opt to sample some of East Anglia’s finest craft beer!

Family fun: There will also be a free Street Child ‘Mini Half’: a 1 mile fun run open to under 18s (and accompanying adults) along the trails of Thetford Forest. See if you can beat the badger as you race him through the forest!

The fun continues at the Halfter Party in the event village where there’ll be live entertainment, more sample craft ales, and activities for all to enjoy

For more information and to book visit: https://www.street-child.co.uk/craft-half-thetford

Pictured: Sarah, Duchess of York, Tom and Lucinda Dannatt and at the Street Child gala dinner in London in November
 


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