Fundraising

BFMT Hong Kong: Sponsored Walk   29 January 2007

Every year, the Trustees organize a sponsored walk to coincide with Blair’s birthday. We do this for a number of reasons, including:

• To raise awareness about East Timor and generate more income for the Trust
• As a mark of respect for Blair Forster who walked from Li Po Chun United World College to Sai Kung almost every day during his illness, and inspite of his treatment.

The route would vary depending on how he felt, but we never gave up. He never once complained. He just did it. Sometimes, he used to walk along the main road to Sai Kung. But most times he took the high road - he walked over Ma On Shan Mountain.

Before Blair’s illness, I used to out pace him. I really prided myself in my fast pace and enjoyed the vigorous exercise. However, when I accompanied Blair on his “walks to Sai Kung” I found I couldn’t keep up with him, no matter whether the path was on flat or steep, rough or smooth. I just could not keep up. His dedication and his determination when faced with such a life threatening illness gave others courage and inspired us to never give up.

So every year we follow his route. We walk from the gates of Li Po Chun United World College – walk over the ridge of Ma On Shan and back down again to Sai Kung, ending up in Jaspas, Blair’s favorite restaurant for a well deserved meal! This has become a ritual – just like Blair’s walks – for us and one we hope will inspire others to do the same.

And it’s beginning to happen. This year, Ann Green organized a sponsored walk at Kennedy School, which raised over $96,000 for the BFMT. The Trustees were so moved by their incredible effort and the generous amount that was raised. This money has gone towards paying for an East Timorese to attend the Prem Centre, Thailand. It has also generated an interest amongst the students at Kennedy to start up links with primary schools in East Timor.

We thank Kennedy School for their wonderful contribution and hope that this will be a first of many such wonderful schools participating in the same way, by walking to aide those children in East Timor who are not as fortunate as we are.

If you are interested in helping to organize, or would like to take part in a sponsored walk, please contact:

Wendy Forster
wendy@blairforster.org
Chairperson