Kingston mum-of-two to take part in 60 kilometre trek in Uganda

Kingston resident 36-year-old Myra Eburne has pledged to put her fitness to the test to support child development charity, Compassion UK in a 60 kilometre trek in Uganda, Africa. During the trip she will also meet three children she supports through the charity.

Compassion UK has partnered with international organisation 4th Musketeer, who host endurance challenges around the world in unusual or extreme locations, offering people the chance to participate whilst raising significant funds for partner charities.

During the weekend, a team of 22 Compassion UK supporters travelled to Uganda to take part in the “Muskathlon”, and have the chance to compete in a half marathon, marathon, ultra-marathon, 60 kilometre trek or 120 kilometre cycle. The race will take place tomorrow, Thursday 26 May.

Myra estimates that her trek will take her around ten to twelve hours to complete. The trek will start in the early hours. The route runs around Lake Bunyonyi and sits at almost 2,000 metres above sea level. In May, temperatures in Uganda can reach up to 30°C.

Myra, who is mum to two boys, aged 10 and 12, sponsors three children in Uganda already through the charity. 18-year-old Alice, 20-year-old Lawrence and 15-year-old Chebet, all from Uganda, are all supported by Myra’s family. Myra has built up a friendship with the three children through letter-writing over the last thirteen years and is excited to finally meet them.

“What I like about the work of Compassion is that it’s extremely transparent; it doesn’t just look after a child’s practical needs but their emotional and spiritual needs too. That’s what a child needs to grow into a healthy adult,” Myra explains. “First I gasped at the thought of walking 60 kilometres in one day. It’s crazy, but it’s not impossible. The key to any training is to start early and start small. So I started with seven and a half miles, then built up to walking 30 miles around Richmond Park. I feel that after 6 months of training I’ll be able to complete the trek.”

As part of fundraising for her trek, Myra has encouraged eight friends and family to sponsor a child as well as raising over £600 towards the construction of classrooms in Uganda.

Darren Allwright, Compassion UK Muskathlon ambassador reflects, “The funds raised by the Muskathletes competing in Uganda will make a monumental difference to the lives of children living in poverty. The money will be spent on the construction of five classrooms at a Compassion project in South-West Uganda. We’re all ordinary people competing in an extraordinary and life-changing event, with a passion to see lasting change in needy communities around the world.”