Bishop Martin’s Pennine Way challenge to raise £30,000 for children in Zimbabwe

St Augustine’s Chair of Trustees, Rt Revd Dr Martin Gainsborough, is preparing to run an incredible 267 miles this August to raise £30,000 in support of children’s education in Zimbabwe.

Starting 1 August 2025, Bishop Martin will take on the Pennine Way, one of the UK’s most challenging national trails, by running a marathon every day for 10 days. He’ll be travelling completely unsupported and carrying his own tent. 

He’ll be joined by his Border Collie, Jem, as he makes his way from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm, just over the Scottish border.

Bishop Martin and his dog, Jem.

Supporting education projects in Zimbabwe

The run is in support of the long-standing Link between the Kingston Episcopal Area and the Diocese of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe. Funds raised will go directly to education projects in the region, including the construction of vital infrastructure for schools, like the new St Cecilia’s School in Lupane.

Bishop Martin was inspired to take on the challenge after meeting students and teachers on a visit to Matabeleland last year. Their determination and joy left a lasting impression. 

St Cecilia’s is already changing lives, even while still under construction. One pupil, fourteen-year-old Ntokozo, said: “Before we had hope, but now we have hope realised.”

Many children in the region currently walk up to 10km each way to reach school – a dangerous journey that prevents many, especially girls, from attending at all.  The funds raised will help complete St. Cecilia’s and make education safer and more accessible for local children. 

Volunteers have already cleared land, dug a borehole, built latrines, a caretaker’s house and even introduced goats! The next stage includes classrooms, dormitories, a dining hall and a rectory.  

“If everyone in our churches each gave £5, I’d smash my fundraising target,” said Bishop Martin.

The grounds St Cecilia’s Secondary School in Lupane.

How can you help?

If you would like to sponsor Bishop Martin, please visit his JustGiving page and watch Bishop Martin’s video to learn more.

To learn more about the partnership between Kingston Episcopal Area and the Diocese of Matabeleland, visit the Diocese of Southwark website. 

Everyone at St Augustine’s College of Theology is cheering Bishop Martin on and holding him in prayer as he prepares to take on this gruelling challenge!