Runner raises money for orphanage in Uganda (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Runner raises money for orphanage in Uganda

11:36am Monday 6th February 2012 in News

Runner raises money for orphanage in Uganda

A 66-year-old woman who has run several marathons is preparing to take part in one of her last races to raise money for an orphanage in Uganda.

Elizabeth Barber, owner of St Albans Music Centre in Holywell Hill, is training for the Berkhamsted half marathon to raise funds for Shining House orphanage in Kisita Village, Masindi, north west Uganda, which was set up by her friend Roger Turner.

Despite recovering from her third running injury, Miss Barber, a member of the St Albans Striders running club, is looking forward to the challenge on March 4. But she said this will be one of the last races she does.

She said: "I’m not supposed to run on these knees.

"It may be my last attempt but I will make it count."

Mr Turner, 68, who was born in St Albans, used to work at the music centre in the 1960s. He later became headteacher at a school Much Hadham.

He set up Shining House in 2006.

He said: "This is a venture I had no intention of establishing. But I kept being asked to look after young orphans who were not in school and were being pushed around from one family to another."

Shining House, which looks after youngsters aged between 12 and 21, has 24 young people at the moment - 17 are in school, one is at univserity, another at nursing college and one at business college. The project costs around £40,000 a year to run.

"He’s literally scratching about for funds," said Miss Barber.

"The orphanage enables young people to get the education they need to get a foot on the career ladder."

Miss Barber, who took over the management of the music centre from her parents, began running when she turned 56.

She had previously suffered from an overactive thyroid which meant she experienced feelings of panic and exhaustion when she tried to run a long distance.

After this was diagnosed and she started receiving treatment in 1998, she began to enjoy running.

Miss Barber has run four marathons, the Loch Ness marathon, two London marathons and the Brathay Windermere marathon.

Mr Turner is coming home for a visit next month so will be there to cheer her on.

She has raised £165 so far. Anyone wishing to help can drop off donations at St Albans Music Centre, 20 Holywell Hill, or post them to Audrey Collor, 77 Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4TG.