A WELL-LOVED former headmistress in Bahrain has been moved by the backing she has received for her charity fundraising efforts from the many children she inspired and taught in the kingdom.
Families and friends from around the globe are rallying round to support her ‘July 10 Miles Swim Challenge’ which aims to promote an organisation carrying out vital research into breast cancer.
Wendy Goodwin, who was head teacher of St Christopher’s Junior School for 18 years, fought the disease 10 years ago, before retiring with her husband, Ed, the school’s former principal, back to the UK.
“I was humbled by the emotional and practical support I received from both family, friends and colleagues at the time and, indeed, it is some of those very same people who are supporting me now with their donations and encouraging comments,” said Ms Goodwin, who used to live in Saar where she battled two malignant tumours that were detected during her annual mammogram check-up at a Bahrain hospital.
“I’m fundraising for the charity ‘Breast Cancer Now’, which provides caring and practical support for those affected by breast cancer.
“I spotted the opportunity to raise funds for them and was inspired to sign up for their ‘Swim 10 Miles in July’ challenge, especially when I also read how the organisation supports more than 70 cutting-edge research projects, hoping to discover how breast cancer can be prevented.”
Since launching her initiative at the beginning of this month, she has raised £316 (around BD150) on the Facebook page and £1,097 (BD500) on the Just Giving page called Wendy’s fundraiser for Breast Cancer Now, smashing her £1,000 target.
“I have swum 294 lengths so far, so not quite halfway yet,” she said. “I completed these over several sessions at my local 25m pool in Alnwick. Currently, I am in Galway, Ireland for a reunion and hope to do a couple of swims whilst here on holiday before returning to complete the challenge back in Northumberland. The swim, covering a distance of more than 16km, has to be completed by the end of this month.
“I love that taking on this project has brought together people from around the globe – old friends, even as far back as school and university, and new – who have rallied to support me. We have all been drawn together in support of a common cause, a cause that is very dear to my heart.”
According to Ms Goodwin, she and Ed both ‘miss Bahrain very much’, particularly the ‘wonderful warmth and friendly hospitality of its people’.
“We are very fortunate that my younger daughter, Alyaa, continues to live in Bahrain which gives us every reason to regularly visit the kingdom,” explained Ms Goodwin, who was probably better known by her former surname, Bataineh.
She lived in Jordan for more than 20 years where she also worked as the head teacher of an international community school, and both her daughters Marion and Alyaa were born there.
“We often combine it with a visit to Jordan where Marion, my eldest daughter, lives with her husband, Zeid, and their three children,” she added.
“Ed’s daughter, Vicki, and husband, Ant, and his grandson, Brodie, live somewhat closer. They are in Scotland and England, respectively.
“You will see from my Just Giving web page, that all of them are supporting the fundraiser. Ed is also supporting me in the challenge and further promoted the event through his presence on LinkedIn.”
mai@gdnemdia.bh
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