Racing to Remember

Mark MacAlpine was our dear friend and a strong supporter of the children in Qinghai. Mark went to heaven in May 2014. But his life continues to impact Christian Action in deeply meaningful ways.

This year's Standard Chartered Marathon or the Mount Butler race would probably have been on Mark’s agenda so that he could raise more funds for our children. Aware of his absence, several people are making sure that Mark’s legacy continues.   Fireman Hong ran in Mark’s place when his illness was first discovered. But because Fireman Hong is having a season of rest, he and his lovely wife Denise asked their friend Michael Harrison if he would do the honours for Mark.

Michael will be running the Salomon to the top of Hong Kong Challenge on Sunday March 29^th.  This is a 30km long trail run to the top of Hong Kong’s highest mountain - Tai Mo Shan. Michael is in for a tough race. He told us, "I have raced in some of the toughest and most amazing places in Hong Kong. It will mean even more to me this time, as I will be racing to raise funds for the children in Qinghai."  Michael attends Gospel Community church and has three children, including his 16-year-old son who was adopted from 'Mother’s Choice'.

One of the children Mark raised funds for was Ji who has Ellis Von Creveld Syndrome. It has resulted in a form of dwarfism which necessitated many surgeries. He dearly loved his ‘Grandpa Mark’ whom he spent several wonderful afternoons with in 2013.

Ji gets on well with his classmates and is happy at school, where he is performing well. He speaks simple English, and is very co-operative at home. Ji is extremely close to his foster mother who for the first few years of his life carried him up and down six floors to their flat, because he was unable to manage the stairs. The good news is that following surgery in 2013, and ongoing physiotherapy, Ji is able to walk those stairs without assistance! It is just as well because he is growing rapidly!

We couldn’t have chosen a better candidate to represent Mark MacAlpine than Michael Harrison! He will be competing to raise funds for us in just a few days from now. Please support him in whatever way you can! You don’t need to run to the top of Tai Mo Shan with Michael, but you can simply click here to show your support and Michael will do all the hard work for you!