Simon is home!
On Easter Sunday, March 27th, 2016, one of Ecologia’s locally-based supporters, Simon Clark, set off to run the whole way around Britain’s crinkly coast to celebrate our 20th Anniversary and raise £20,000 to support our work with disadvantaged children and young people in Kenya, Uganda, Russia, Myanmar and Scotland.
Simon’s Round Britain Route
Total miles run: 5,173
Total amount raised: £22,000 and rising
Mark Simon’s Achievement – Donate Now!
Read all the Stats and Facts on Simon’s Run!
On July 5th, 2017, more than 15 months after setting off on his run around Britain, Simon Clark returned home. This is the story of his run.
Read our latest articles about Simon’s Run:
Simon’s run in the media:
- North Highland Radio (Aug 10th, 2017):
- BBC News (July 14th, 2017): ‘Moray runner completes 5,173-mile round Britain route’
For more news articles and radio snippets please visit our media archive on Simon’s Run.
Follow Simon’s Run on Facebook
Simon is committed to supporting Ecologia, and as part of his commitment he has chosen to sponsor two children from projects we support. Here are video’s from both children – Vanya in Russia and Patrick at Kithoka Amani Community Home in Kenya – congratulating, appreciating and supporting Simon on his run.
Why did Simon run around Britain’s coast?
Inspired by Rosie Swale Pope’s adventures, as described in her book Just a Little Run Around the World, he followed the edge of the sea along the mainland coast, to test his own limits, his own edge. As he described it:
My own need to do something bigger than I know is a powerful driving force – the desire to find out how I deal with life when I am exhausted and want to do no more. What then kicks in? What is left?
But this was not only a journey of self-discovery. Based around the corner from Ecologia, Simon had become familiar with our work over the past two decades and decided to dedicate his awe-inspiring efforts to supporting our work with neglected, abused and vulnerable children facing their own challenges. He explained:
If we can’t give all the children of the world the best start possible, we have to wonder what we’re doing here. It’s so difficult for children in materially poor countries to get to grips with education and achieve worthwhile change whilst being under nourished and shelterless. Giving – no doubt at times, grinding out – effort to benefit youngsters who have less fortuitous circumstances than mine seems the least I can do, and the thought of carrying and needing very little, while asking others to give a lot to improve the lives of children seems the best of affairs.
The wiggly nature of Britain’s edge means that the total distance Simon ran clocked in at a jaw-dropping 5,173 miles! His plan was to keep up his architectural design work while running around the coast (sometimes having ‘work’ days, as well as participating in the odd marathon!), and he expected his journey of five thousand brief encounters to take just over a year. In the end it took him over 15 months! Simon’s route was recorded live via the interactive map at the top of this page, and his evocative Facebook posts allowed followers to experience the journey with him. His journey was also captured in photo’s!
As an additional service, Simon is carrying messages to deliver to people along the coastline. Anyone can give him a small paper message with name and mobile number on it, and he will contact them and deliver it en route. A donation to Ecologia pays for your own personal messenger!
How Can I Contribute?
Simon’s Virgin Money Giving page is still open for donations if you would like to help mark his achievement.
Supporters like Simon taking on magnificent challenges such as this, enable Ecologia to continue to nurture, sustain, and develop the potential of the precious children in our projects.
If you are inspired to undertake your own challenge in support of Ecologia please do get in touch!
Mark Simon’s Achievement – Donate Now!
Thank You Simon!
