Melton runner Dave smashes half marathon for good cause

Dave Kitching ran 13 miles in under two hours to raise £300 for the St Mary’s Church Team Parish Bee Project.

His journey took him to St Mary’s Church in Burton Street, St James’ Church in Burton Lazars, St Mary the Virgin Church in Thorpe Arnold, St Bartholomew’s Church in Welby Lane and St Leonard’s Church in Sysonby Grange Lane.

The Team Parish Bee Project raises money to send and help maintain beehives to those less fortunate than ourselves in Bitaj, Albania, where they look after the bees, eat the honey (for food and medicine), and sell the surplus for extra income.

It costs £125 to provide a family with a hive, swarm of bees and the basic equipment to get started. So far 40 bee hives have been provided and 220 fruit trees for the bees. Stage two is to provide certified honey hygiene and business training for families.

Dave had been running between four and six miles, three times a week to get in shape for his mammoth challenge.

He said: “I’m now hoping to complete a full marathon though I’m not sure if I’ll make it. I’m very thankful and touched by people’s donations.”

To make a donation to The Team Parish Bee Project please put money in an envelope marked Running Bee and drop it in to the Parish Office at the Samworth Centre in Melton.

The funds will be taken to Albania in April by members of The Team Parish Bee Project and it will be used to hire a trainer who will provide Stage two training.

For more information about the project visit http://www.melton.leicester.anglican.org/Groups/234347/St_Marys_C/What_we_do/Courses_and_Events/Mission_to_Albania/Bee_Amazing/Bee_Amazing.aspx