Ibex director Philip Langley is all set to participate in his fourth Sierra Leone Marathon taking place in Makeni, Sierra Leone, on October 24.
Phil is, once again, raising money for the UK charity Street Child and specifically this year for their Ebola Orphan Appeal. In the days before the race, Phil will visit several Street Child projects across the country and see for himself how the money raised is spent and meet the beneficiaries. Phil is meeting all his own expenses of the trip in order that every penny raised goes to the charity.
The ongoing Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 4,000 lives in Sierra Leone leaving more than 12,000 orphans who have lost at least their primary caregiver. More than 3,000 children have lost both parents. Their average age is just nine years old.
Without help, these orphans face a bleak future as they also face the stigma of being an Ebola orphan and are often shunned by the wider community who themselves fear infection. The common practice of Africans welcoming orphans into their family has often not applied in the case of Ebola orphans. Many are left facing a life on the streets, physical and sexual abuse and no prospect of returning to school.
Street Child has already supported over 10,000 orphans, giving them food, finding them safe shelter, providing school uniforms and getting them back to school.
Ibex has supported Street Child’s work for several years, in fact since six Ibex staff took part in the first Sierra Leone Marathon in 2012.
Ibex Insurance has offices in Almancil and Tavira.
Donations can be made at www.virginmoneygiving.com/philiplangley
Photo: Ibex director Philip Langley being presented with his race shirt by Ibex marketing executive Mariana Piñero
