News
Presenting… ASTI’s Runners for the 2011 British 10k Run
This coming Sunday, Central London will be descended upon by runners of all kinds as the starting gun goes off for the 2011 Asics British 10k Run. Of the thousands racing past the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, and the London Eye, three will be our very own ASTI runners. Although they come from very different backgrounds, all three will be running to help end acid violence and rebuild the lives of survivors. Nevertheless, no matter how fast they run, they need your support to help survivors. Take a look at their stories, and then click through to their JustGiving pages to cheer them on and give life-changing aid to survivors of acid violence at the same time.
Go Team ASTI!
Leonidas Spiliopoulos, London
Leonidas, a native of Argos, Greece is now living in the East London near Brick Lane. With so many Bangladeshi neighbours, he was interested to hear about ASTI’s work in Bangladesh helping train local medical professionals in acid burns care. He was shocked by the cruelty and unfairness inherent in acid violence. “There is no way that attacking another person with acid could possibly solve any problem,” he says, “but training doctors so that they can deal with these cases really has the potential to improve people’s lives.” He’s been enjoying his early morning runs up and down Regent’s Canal. “It’s a nice way to wake up, as well as keeping fit,” Leo explains. “It’s great to be able to contribute to ASTI while doing something I enjoy.”
To see Leo’s donation page, click here.
Therese Dowswell, Wrexham, Wales
Before Therese decided to run for ASTI, “I had never done any running in my adult life, other than for the bus,” she reveals. “I have found the training hard, although I have been surprised how with regular training I have been able to increase the distance I run. I am running three or four times a week on the lanes around my house in North Wales.” Like Leo, Therese has enjoyed running down the canal tow path and she sometimes gets a bus out of town so she can run home. “There is nothing better than the sight of the last lamp post before home,” she laughs.
As a health care worker, Therese has a personal connection to ASTI’s mission. “I work in health care and I can imagine the terrible consequences of acid violence,” she explains. “I work in a women’s hospital and am committed to the best health care possible for women. In countries where the resources for health care and social support are limited the complications and disfigurement arising from acid violence and the social and economic consequences are likely to be much worse than in richer countries.”
To see Therese’s donation page, click here.
Kate Bagley, London
Kate is ASTI’s Programmes Officer, and she’s stepping into the race this for the first time this year. “I’ve seen Ruby, our Programmes Manager, run every year and it looked like such a great time that I knew I wanted to join in 2011,” Kate says. Although Kate is a new runner, she’s been working through the Couch to 5k Podcasts and can’t wait to try out her trainers on the streets of Central London instead of the treadmill. As Programmes Officer, Kate gets to see everyday the impacts of ASTI’s work worldwide. “It’s wonderful to be able to work in a place where we’re able to make such big impact in people’s lives for so little money,” she observes. “Even though I see pictures and write reports about the survivors we’re helping each day, I never lose my sense of amazement at the degree to which they are able to bounce back. To go through such intense pain and the loss of your sense of identity is absolutely devastating. Yet, with proper medical care, psycho-social counselling, and job training, these women, men and children are able to empower themselves and build new lives. It’s incredible, and I can’t think of a better cause to support.”
To see Kate’s donation page, click here.
Posted on July 06th 2011 by Office in ASTI news
