Helen Ord

Date:

August 2011

Fundraising challenge:

Our very own Finance Director Helen took part in the London Triathlon (750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run)

How much did you raise:

£2,500

What motivated you to do this challenge?:

A determination to prove to all of my (depressingly fit, healthy, sporty) friends and family that after years of supporting others, whilst struggling to be able to run a mere 3km myself, I could finally join the ranks of those crazy athletic types! Plus telling people that I (a) had to wear a revolting figure hugging wetsuit to (b) voluntarily splash about in the lower reaches of the Thames was always going to help with the sympathy vote...

And of course the secondary motivation was more to do with feeding my chocolate/sweet treats addiction over the past six months without feeling quite so guilty......

Why did you choose to raise money for War Child?:

I thought it was about time I put my money where my mouth was! As Finance Director of War Child since June last year, I have been lucky enough to visit our projects in both Uganda and DRC, and to have met other War Child employees from all of the countries we work in, who are completely dedicated to improving the lives of children affected by war. We have a great team who deserve all of the support we can give them.

They truly are doing amazing things in often difficult and even harrowing conditions, and the futures of so many young people are all the better for it. And I am a firm believer in the old adage that every penny counts (maybe it’s that accountant/Scottish thing...) – so, unfortunately for all of my incredibly kind supporters, it won’t be the last that they hear about War Child – this is just the beginning!