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Bishop of Tuam to Run London Marathon for Charities
Bishop on the Run!
Bishop of Tuam to Run 2009 London Marathon for Charities
The Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, the Rt Revd Dr Richard Henderson, is set to pound 26.2 miles of London’s streets on Sunday 26th April in order to raise funds for Christian Aid through the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal and for local and Anglican charities.
Bishop Henderson is running for the Church of Ireland’s Bishops’ Appeal, which gives rapid assistance to alleviate poverty in the developing world. Through it, funds which he raises will go specifically to support a Christian Aid-run project providing clean water for desert communities in Ethiopia. Bishop Henderson says, ‘Water is vital to life and a primary right of all people. I may be hoping to run a marathon but there are people in the world who have to walk its equivalent mileage in order to get daily supplies of water. Providing clean water locally provides a basic need but also frees people up to obtain an education; till the land; and look after animals. Water is also of central symbolic importance to both the Christian and Jewish faiths – it purifies and nourishes. It is time we talked about hydrotheology!’
The bishop is also hoping to support Western Care and Mayo Roscommon Hospice within his own diocesan area in the West of Ireland.
Western Care gives practical help to people with learning disabilities – and their families. Bishop Henderson says, ‘I really do feel that there is more goodness and sense per square metre in evidence in this kind of organisation than in many other areas of life.’
The Bishop has been closely involved with the work of Mayo Roscommon Hospice for several years. He comments, ‘I have shared in people’s grief and participated in services of remembrance that have been deeply meaningful and helpful occasions. The work of the Hospice needs to be cherished – it unites all sections of the community and is very much of God. I am proud and privileged to have been part of its work and hope the sponsorship raised will help assist its essential work.’
The bishop is also running for the ‘Don’t Throw Stones’ project of the Anglican Church, which aims to encourage individual believers and Christian communities to hear from gay and lesbian Christians through dialogue and understanding. Bishop Henderson explains, ‘I hope that we can seriously engage with under-discussed issues such as friendship, fidelity, care, trust and responsibility.’ Money raised will be paid to the Anglican Consultative Council in a restricted fund for work in accordance with the aims of ‘Don’t Throw Stones’.
Training in earnest for the event in two week’s time, Bishop Henderson says, ‘I’m not naturally sporty, so it’s a bit of a departure for me, but I’ve been training hard and ran 19 miles last week. I’m still conscious and perpendicular, so I’m looking forward to the marathon itself – I think!’
To sponsor Bishop Henderson’s marathon run, please visit www.mycharity.ie to make an online donation and learn more about each charity. Alternatively, cheques indicating a chosen charity on the back may be posted to: Bishop’s House, Knockglass, Crossmolina Co Mayo and made payable to ‘Tuam See’. Separate sponsorship cards are available for specific charities via the Diocesan Communications Officer, Canon Aean Ferguson on [email protected].
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Canon Aean Ferguson
Tuam Diocesan Communications Officer
T. +353 (0) 96 49865 or M. +353 (0) 878121020
[email protected].