APRIL 2020 UPDATE 4

Trustees took advantage of the opportunity of the cancellation of the London Marathon to raise funds through The 2.6 Challenge by undertaking strenuous physical projects. Trustee Annemarie Feast pledged to plank for 30 seconds every 30 minutes throughout the day, thereby totaling 26 minutes of planking. She finished just after 10pm, exhausted but very proud of her job well done. Our thanks to Annemarie and all the other trustees who took part and to all who made donations to help continue the work of Extra Mile.

The Final Plank

Annemarie with her record of all her planks

Trustees have been working hard to establish a new management structure for the charity to take over once the Director, Mike Fielding, steps down from his role later in the year. 9 task groups have been established: leadership; finance; education; fundraising national; fundraising local to Rugby; publicity; volunteering;buildings and policies and procedures. Each group has a lead trustee who is aided by a group of other trustees and volunteers. The groups are busy beginning their meetings so that they are in a position to report back at the next Board of Trustees ‘ meeting on May 14th 2020.

The Education Ministry in Sierra Leone postponed the upcoming Primary and Junior Secondary examinations until July 2020. Even this looks a little optimistic. However it shows just how important the work of our teachers is in keeping the students on track with their studies, even though schools are currently closed. Extra Mile is continuing to pay its staff, which is greatly appreciated by all our staff in Sierra Leone. As our Country Manage, Moses Conteh, put it “ They all appreciate the incredible support of the Extra Mile team abroad in the UK and further afield.

Staff signing for their wages in Sierra Leone, keeping appropriate social distancing.

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