IT AIN'T HALF HOT MUM!

Child runaways in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire will benefit from a unique 'hottest place on earth' fund raising challenge when Tony Brammer sprints 150 miles over 6 days in the searing heat of the Sahara Dessert, for the Dinington based children's' charity 'SAFE@Last'.

Commenting from his home in Manchester, Tony, a Purchasing Director said, "I hit 49 this year and after much soul searching I decided I needed a colossal challenge before I reached the big 5-0, something that would require a huge physical and mental resolve, something that would put me on the edge and something that I could look back on and say "why did you do that?"

"I'm not super fit, just a caring Dad, and when I heard about the great work SAFE@Last does in providing a safe haven, a compassionate shoulder and a little comfort in times of hardship or stress for youngsters, I just had to do something!"

"The race commences on Sunday 25th September and is unsupported - which means that I have to carry everything I need for the 6 days, food, bedding, clothes equipment and water. You can fill up on water every 6 miles, so I'll be carrying a pack weighing approximately 14 kilos. I'm trying to raise £100k, this would make a huge difference to under 16 year old kids who have problems at home and would seriously consider running away. I need to find 1000 people to donate £100 or 100,000 to donate a £1, my guess is that it will be a combination of both and thanks to Crystal Peaks I've been given a nice sponsorship boost already."

"I'm receiving great free support and encouragement from the likes of a personal trainer, a shiatsu practitioner, a swimming coach, a psychotherapist for mind and body, Dr Jen for traditional Chinese medicine and even a website and i.t. specialist for communication. My web site is called Gonnado, which comes from the Latin; gonn meaning your mind and ado means out of. Yep, I'm out of my mind, but I think you already knew that!"

Editors' Notes; SAFE@Last:

• SAFE@Last was set up 5 years ago in response to an acute need for services, as 1 in 9 children under 16 years every year in South Yorkshire run away or are forced to leave home.
• SAFE@Lastrun a free Runaways Helpline service, 0800 781 7536, every day of the week. The helpline is operated by trained volunteers, and supported by a professional advisor.
• SAFE@Last is working ultimately towards the provision of emergency accommodation for the under 16s.
• There are currently only 6 refuge beds in the UK for children under 16.
• The funds will keep many anxious children safe who currently, should they find themselves in this position, are extremely vulnerable.
• If young people are not offered a safe place to stay they often resort to very risky survival strategies in order to survive: - prostitution, drugs, offending.
• There are 129000 overnight runaway incidents each year in the UK.
• Over 3000 of these are in South Yorkshire - of whom are under 11 years old.

for further information, please call:
Darryl Dawson

t: 01302 759696 m: 07973 676942
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