I am taking part in this year's London Marathon to raise money for the Buwan Kothi International Trust.

The Trust was set up in 2006 to raise money for rural regeneration projects in Haryana in northern India. It was set up by Gilly Mundy, his wife Debbie and a number of their friends who were inspired by the wonderful welcome given by the people of Buwan Kothi, a small and isolated farming community in Haryana, to everyone who attended Gilly and Debbie's wedding there in December 2005.

In the first two years, the aim was always to raise funds to build a school in Buwan Kothi, but this was given an even greater significance by Gilly's sudden death in March 2007. The Trust decided to therefore name the project The Gilly Mundy Memorial Institute.

Over the last year, fundraising efforts have raised close to £50,000 towards the first phase of the Memorial Institute, which means that pupils will join a brand new primary school in Buwan Kothi in April 2008.

To complete this amazing work, Buwan Kothi International Trust now aims to also build a secondary school and a community resource centre, which will include a much-needed doctor’s surgery. Currently the local community has no formal medical services.

So please sponsor me! Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Buwan Kothi International Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Sheila Alon