Weymouth and Portland charity run raises funds for orphanage (From Dorset Echo)
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Weymouth and Portland charity run raises funds for orphanage
10:00am Saturday 9th January 2010 in News By Laura Kitching
Rev Mike Stear, right, sets his watch as Henry Harley sets off on his sponsored run
A GRANDFATHER has pounded the streets of Weymouth and Portland to raise more than £1,000 for an Indian orphanage.
Henry Harley enjoyed ‘perfect weather conditions’ and a warm send-off when he undertook a charity run from St John’s Church, Greenhill, to Fortuneswell and back again.
Mr Harley, 57, completed the 17-mile challenge in two hours and 15 minutes and enjoyed himself so much that he did an extra lap of Greenhill before returning to the church.
All the money raised will go to a flood-damaged orphanage in Repalle, Andhra Pradesh via new Weymouth Christian charity, Eagle’s Wings Ministries UK Ltd.
Mr Harley, who runs a property maintenance business and lives in Littlemoor, said: “I had a good send-off with about 25 people there.
“The weather was fantastic, no wind or anything and the support car was really good, supplying me with drinks and bananas.
“A number of people ran a couple of miles here and there to cheer me on, including my daughter, Lisa Vince, who ran three miles with me and my grandchildren Chloe, 10 and Lucie, six, joined me along the Chesil Beach car park.
“Back at the church there was a welcoming team and it was just a lovely day really, which raised lots of money.”
He added: “When I went to church on Sunday I was given a round of applause.
“The sponsorship money is coming in and that’s the main thing – getting money for the children.
“So far I’ve raised £1,000 and it’s still early days.”
The final count of donations for The Gospel Outreach Ministries Orphanage in south India will be held on January 31.
It will coincide with a special Sunday service at St John’s Church to celebrate the Eagle’s Wings Ministries UK Ltd being given charity status.
All are welcome to attend the event, which starts with refreshments and a DVD presentation about the charity at 5pm, followed by the service at 6.30pm.
Anyone wishing to support the orphanage can send donations to Eagle’s Wings Ministries UK Ltd, PO Box 6813, Weymouth DT4 4DS.
Cheques should be made payable to ‘Eagle’s Wings Ministries UK Ltd’, with the envelope marked for ‘GOM Orphanage’.
