FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

I haven’t been asked much about this (yet), but thought I’d pre-empt it anyway ;)

1. Why are you running for charity?

Well initially, I simply wanted to run. In high school and college I used to do middle distance (800m, 1500m) and 10km runs. I haven’t done any serious running in the past two years though, and thought the British 10K was a brilliant opportunity to start running again.

The idea of running for a charity is pretty new to me (I don’t think it’s commonly practiced in Malaysia), but I think it makes good sense. I could always donate some money directly to a given charity, and try convincing a few others to do the same. But persuading others to donate money ain’t easy. For many, supporting a friend may strike closer to home than “helping alleviate global poverty and disease”.

Also, with a run, there is an element of making a physical commitment to running and training for the run. It really wouldn’t be fair for me to be asking someone else to make a financial commitment towards a cause when I am not at least as committed myself.

2. Of all the charities to run for, why CARE International UK?

Were it possible I’d love to run for all the charities listed on the British 10K website - they could all use a little more financial support. CARE stood out for me because I believe in their mission to serve individuals and families in the poorest of communities in the world, and their work in delivering and developing lasting changes. They don’t believe in merely providing the proverbial fish but in enabling others to fish themselves.

In real terms, they don’t just dispense medicine to sick people, but are involved in developing longer term solutions by providing education on health, family planning, and STDs, as well as training local volunteers and counsellors to take on those roles. They don’t just dish out money like Santa, but teach people to be financially independent by helping them start their own businesses or growing their own food.

CARE is also committed to many more efforts like disaster and conflict humanitarian work, influencing government and business policy, and addressing discrimination. For more information on the work they are doing and ways in which you can support them visit CARE’s website (http://www.careinternational.org.uk/)

3. Why "Run With Me"?

Running alone is always less fun than running with someone else. And running with someone else often spurs me to go further and faster. Many runners will attest to that. Likewise, I'd like you to run with me in the following ways -

By donating 1£ for everyone kilometre I run. This way I know that for every 1km I cover on the ground, that'll be an extra £1 x the number of donors which will go towards the work CARE is doing. Not only will this be an encouragement to me when I run, but I believe that it will also encourage you to feel a greater part of this event. Do take note that 1£ per km is just a suggestion. Feel free to donate as much or as little as you feel compelled to.

By considering the impact of your donations as you make them. It's always easier to donate blindly to support a friend, and I'm sure that every penny donated will be very much appreciated nonetheless. However, being an idealist, I'd like for this experience to make an impact in your life, as it will do in the lives of those who will benefit from the donations you make. Hence I will endeavour to try provide you (on this blog) with some information and thoughts every now and then, on not only the work CARE is doing, but also about poverty itself and the lives it affects.

4. How can I donate?

You can visit my fundraising page (www.justgiving.com/markusncy) and donate using your credit/debit card. It’s a fairly straight forward process. Just click on the “sponsor me now” button, and follow the instructions. It’ll take you about 5 minutes to set up an account and donate.

5. I don’t have a credit/debit card. How else can I donate?

If you’re in Essex University, I will have a collection box for cash and cheque donations placed in my kitchen, Wolfson Court 2 (it’s just behind the North Campus accommodations office beside the North Towers). Just ring the bell and one of my nice flatmates or I will let you in to drop off your donations.

If you’re not at the university, you can write a cheque payable to “CARE International UK” and mail it to me. My address is as follows :

Markus Ng,
Wolfson Court 2/G,
University of Essex,
Colchester,
CO43SQ Essex,
UK

6. Will I get a receipt for my donations?

If you need a receipt for your donations, please let me know, and I’ll arrange for one to be mailed to you.

7. Are we by donating, subsidising the cost of your participation in the run?

Nope. Every penny donated will go to CARE International UK. Participating in the run costs £29.50, which I have already paid for myself.