Sudan Medical Link Sponsored Walk

Selecting either to do a half marathon or full marathon, the walkers were blessed with perfect weather and a great support team from “Discover Adventure”. Walking alongside others who were supporting a variety of different charities, friendships were made and with the company of others the miles passed quickly by. 

Women and girls in South Sudan walk an average of 29 miles per week (more than a marathon) just for their water needs - carrying 20 litres (approximately 42 pounds/20kgs). 

Some of the walkers had personal reasons to support the medical link:

From the Devises area, Merle and Ian Halliday said, 

“The Stonehenge Half Marathon was a wonderful opportunity for us to walk in memory of my father, Peter Vaughan, Bishop of Ramsbury (1989-1998) who died at the beginning of the pandemic. He had been involved with the Sudan through CMS and whilst in the Salisbury Diocese through the Salisbury Diocesan Link. It was a great joy to raise money through such a worthy cause as the Sudan Medical Link”. 

From the Wimborne area, Viv and Dave Arkell have always been great supporters of the medical link. Dave was left behind by his wife in the first mile but he completed the marathon with good humour, stating that if he hadn’t stopped to take so many photographs of the amazing countryside, he would have beaten his wife! 

Eric Jager from Sherborne set himself the incredible challenge of running 66K (41 miles). Onlookers were in awe of him as he ran through the day, picking up much needed sustenance at the checkpoints and getting to know many of the marathon walkers on the day. 

Revd Timothy Biles will be hosting an information evening about the SML at the:- 

Digby Church Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne 

Friday 24 June 2022 7.30pm – 9.00pm 

Please register by phoning Joanna Sams (Asst Parish Secretary) on 01935 713777 or email her on joanna.sams@sherborneabbey.com 

Working with leaders of the Episcopal Churches of South Sudan, the SML provides funding for the training of medical workers to prescribe medicines to treat and cure infections including malaria and disabling and chronic conditions where no other facilities exist. They currently support 11 community clinics and send out much needed drug consignments 3-4 times a year. Nurses, midwives and clinical officers are funded by SML to become professionally trained at nationally recognised training institutions with the aim of them returning to work in their local communities.