A RUNNER from the Launceston area has taken on his sixth marathon in a bid to raise funds for the Future Pillars Zambia charity.

Peter McAughey from Yeolmbridge is a founding trustee of the UK charity and works on a voluntary basis with them to fundraise over £100,000 a year, in order to maintain and develop programmes in Kabwe, Zambia.

Kabwe is one of the most polluted cities in Africa following decades of lead mining. The charity supports around 1,000 highly vulnerable children in feeding and education from pre school to secondary level and vocational skills courses, all on the same campus.

Peter said: ‘It’s such hard work but deeply rewarding to see hope and sometimes joy on the faces of orphans. I want to remind the children about the positive benefits of exercise. It’s not just the daily grind of a two mile walk to and from school every day!”

Peter and his wife sponsor two children themselves as they have seen first hand how valuable their time and investment can be for the lives of other people.

Peter said: “Some have already achieved their goal and become qualified teachers, electricians, carpenters and so on.”

Peter, who is also part of the Launceston Roadrunners club took on the London Marathon for the second time after making his debut there in 2011.

Peter continued: “I am not a natural runner, I find the training very tough and often suffer varying degrees of race cramping! So I need to tough it out and It helps when I consider why.”

Peter, who is approaching his 60th birthday explained the reasons he had already endured five marathons. He said: “It hugely helps my own health — mental and physical — and keeps me grounded.

“I also want to do my bit to inspire a new generation of runners from Kabwe, Zambia. I hosted the first sports day last year and the second one is in July. Of course I also want to make my club proud by doing my very best.”

Peter explained the most important reason he put himself through the 26 miles. He said: “I want to raise as much money as possible for a charity which I helped found. We educate and feed about 1,000 highly vulnerable children in Zambia. It’s deeply rewarding but also stressful trying to find new ways of raising £100,000 here in the UK.

“I would be grateful for any support via wonderful.org, a platform that transfers 100% of funds raised with zero deductions.

“The trustees personally cover all UK and Zambia travel costs so that all of the money raised goes directly to help the children in dire need.”