Hands Across the Water: Run to Remember

Hands Across the Water started in 2005 in the aftermath of the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004. It claimed generations of families. 5395 people would lose their lives in Thailand alone. As the Hands website notes:

‘We didn’t set out to start a charity, we didn’t set up a fundraising page in the hours that followed looking to capitalise on the human tragedy that unfolded before our eyes. Our origins occurred at a temple in Bang Muang north of the epic centre of the destruction in Khao Lak, months after the attention of the world was turning away.’

Peter Baines OAM was a forensic specialist who was sent to Thailand as part of the Australian contingent that was charged with the task of leading the international identification effort of the bodies that were recovered. It wasn’t the deaths that inspired him but the hope and the opportunity to do something for a small group of kids living in a tent in the grounds of a temple in Bang Muang north of the epic centre of the destruction in Khao Lak. Peter acknowledges, it was a naïve belief that if they built a home for the kids living in a tent then problems would be over.

It was only upon opening the first home in 2007, that the real challenge and the need for a long-term commitment was realised. In the years that followed, Hands Across the Water grew and expanded its reach well beyond the initial 32 kids. Operating across all points of the compass in Thailand the job now is equally important as it was back when it started. Hands Across the Water now has 7 projects across Thailand and over 350+ children in its care.

I joined the Hands Across the Water Ride in 2007 and have completed 4 rides – everyone is memorable for different reasons.

This year presents a new and different challenge.

When I interviewed Peter for my Podcast back in January this year, he shared with me that he had an aim to raise $1 million for Hands Across the Water by running 1,400km run from the town of Yasothon in the Northeast of Thailand and continue for the following 26 days to the town of Takua Pa in the South. He’s called it the Run to Remember.

As a runner myself I immediately committed to joining him on part of the run and to raising $100,000. I will also be participating in the 20th anniversary ride!

To achieve this goal, I am going to need the support of my networks across LinkedIn, Rotary, business, friends, colleagues and family.

Why am I committing to this?

I firmly believe in the mission of Hands, providing children with brighter futures and a life of choice. Over the 15 years I’ve been connected with Hands I’ve seen and experienced the sustained difference the Hands across the Water community has made to the lives of over 1,000 Thailand's most vulnerable children, saving them from dangerous environments and giving a home to those who have no family or known relatives to care for them. 

Why am I asking you to support me and Hands Across the Water? Because:

·         your support can positively change one child’s future…or several children, giving them a brighter future and a life of choice.

·         Hands Across the Water uses the 2015 United Nations Sustainability Development Goals to measure its impact

·         I am running for their lives.

@handsacrossthewater @peterbaines @forpurpose #Thailand @boxingdaytsunami @rotary @runtoremember

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