Dear all,

I am pleased to report that I managed to complete the London Marathon in a time of 3 hrs 32 mins 16 secs.

Despite it being pretty agonising for about 3 hrs and 31 mins of this, the atmosphere was quite breathtaking and the whole experience was amazing. Unfortunately I was narrowly beaten by a man wearing stockings and suspenders, but I did manage to put in a late surge to beat the giant banana. I also beat the reigning world champion, Sammy Wanjiru (he wimped out after 16 miles with some poor excuse about a dodgy knee). It really was quite an event …

I have been overwhelmed by the level of support and generosity you have shown and this played a major part in getting me both to the start and finish. I am pleased to say that we have raised a total of £1,895 for the Sean Devereux Children’s Fund, which is obviously a tremendous contribution to an extremely worthy cause.

Thank you very much for all your support.

With best regards.

Jeremy

The Trustees, thanks to the Volunteers of Sean, are delighted to have again received many letters from various school children in Liberia who have received help from the Fund. They are a joy to read and are gradually being published on the Sean Devereux website a little at a time to ensure each child will have their letter on the top page of “Childrens Letters“.

Some photographs will be published at a later date

Dear Supporters of The Sean Devereux Childrens Fund,

You will have seen the reports on the news of the terrible destruction and devastation that has resulted from the powerful earthquake in Haiti. A report on the BBC news website said today that Haitian officials estimate that “the death toll in the quake has risen to at least 75,000. Some 250,000 people were injured and about a million left homeless”.

While we have no projects in the country we have received a letter appealing for help for the Salesians of Don Bosco currently operating in Haiti. (The letter is copied below).

Like thousands of others, their homes and schools have been destroyed but they are bravely struggling on despite the fact that 500 of their children are believed to be dead along with three of their own “confreres”(brothers) Our links with The Salesians go back a long way and we wish to add our voice to their call for help.

The projects in Haiti are similar to  Salesian projects we support in Africa – that is reaching out to poor children in the community through schools, homes for street children and technical schools teaching vocational skills. We are asking supporters of The Sean Devereux Childrens Fund to consider helping The Salesian Community in Haiti, they are on the spot and have years of understanding and knowledge of the culture.

If you would like to find out more go to The Salesian Information Agency at www.infoans.org or to make a donation please send to:

The Salesians of Don Bosco
Thornleigh House
Sharples Park
Bolton
BL1 6PQ

Cheques should be made payable to The Salesians of Don Bosco Haiti Appeal. For details of a Gift Aid declaration form telephone the Salesians in Bolton on Tel: 01204 600720.

With love and thanks
Maureen Devereux and Trustees of The Sean Devereux Fund

Dear Friends

Where can I possibly start to say ‘Thank You All’? The Trustees organised the 6th Celebratory Ball at Wellington College for the end of October. From the outset we were particularly concerned to arrange our event when economic circumstances were seen to be most difficult. Well our fears were unfounded and the financial outturn proved a record result! Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Maureen

Here are a few pictures about out ‘Don Bosco Work’ to save and help the Darfur Boys. We repeat our thanks to you fo all you have done for our boys.

We have opened a ‘Women’s Development Centre’ in Nyala for about 100 girls. We have entrusted it to the Diocese. the Headmistress is a sister from Lebanvre. We have also opened in Ad-Daein (Darfur) a clinic with four Don Bosco sisters.

Yours

Father Vincent