An Ipswich pharmacist who has walked a total of 100km to raise money for Christian international development organisation Tearfund - despite setting out one day without changing her shoes - has paid tribute to her ‘amazing supportive church, family and friends.’
68-year-old Enett Mbizi challenged herself to walk 10km on each of ten consecutive days in her local area, spurred on by the support of Ipswich’s Bethesda Baptist Church.
‘If you have an idea and you have a goal, go for it,’ she said. ‘There will always be problems, there may be struggles, but if you want to do something there will always be someone to help.’
Bethesda Baptist Church became the help that Ms Mbizi sought as she clocked up the miles around Ipswich. ‘I’m very overwhelmed’, she said of her church, ‘they’ve always, always supported me, and when I said I was going to do this walk they donated amazingingly and gave me hugs - they are the best family anyone could have.’
Ms Mbizi also remembered words spoken by her mother as she walked around town. ‘She always used to say: “You are stronger than you think”, and of course I say this to my daughter too now! It certainly helped me when I forgot to change my shoes one day, in the rush to get out of the house, so halfway along the route my feet were really hurting and I wished I could turn around. It was my fault - I forgot the most important thing is to be properly prepared!’
Explaining why she has been a long-term supporter of Tearfund’s work to bring an end to extreme poverty, Ms Mbizi said ‘If I was in a bad situation there would be people thinking about me, so I should be doing that for them, otherwise we cut ourselves off. We should get together and help each other.’
Jane Pleace, Tearfund’s Global Director of Fundraising, said: ‘As a fellow long distance walker, I have a sense of the challenge Enett has taken on and what it feels like to get caught out with the wrong shoes! I'm thankful that she has chosen to stand up for those who find themselves in need of help, and has supported Tearfund for many years as we have worked in many of the world’s poorest countries. We are truly blessed to have supporters like Enett Mbizi. People like her are the engine that keeps us going.’
To support Enett Mbizi’s fundraising, which has so far raised over £350, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/enett-mbizi1
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For further information call Louise Thomas on 07590 775847 or for out of hours media enquiries please call 07929 339813.
Photo: Enett Mbizi
Notes to editors:
Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty is possible. Tearfund is also a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org.
