Tony Benn vs not being arsed

I’ve been spending the last day or two extolling the worth of Tony Benn, a  man who lived his life working for the interests of those less fortunate than himself. He had many attractive features: looks, eloquence, passion, conscience, a refusal to be cowed. But I think it was his consistent focus on helping and protecting the most vulnerable that made him the great man he was.

Not all of us can consistently rise to that height (appeal-alert…) but here’s an opportunity to do something for social justice in the world. I’m running the Omagh  Half-Marathon in exactly two weeks’ time (my cat just fainted) and I’m doing it for Trócaire, whose funds are directed at seeing people have enough food to eat, clean drinking water, the basics of living. If you’re feeling hard-pressed to pay the mortgage or meet bills, check your state against the people Trócaire work with: you’ll find you’re enjoying a quality of life impossible for them. So no, DON’T flick on to some other site or go and make a cup of tea or go out into the garden and count the crocuses. Go to the link below and make a donation NOW – ANY donation. Every little does indeed help. But do show you’re on the same side as Tony Benn rather than with the self-centred  rich. You might not think your few quid will make any difference. WRONG. Remember the young lad who was throwing stranded starfish back into the ocean? He was told there were so many of them, his actions couldn’t possibly make any difference. His response was to pick up another starfish and toss it back in with the observation “Well, it made a difference to that one”.

My target is a modest £500. I’ve already been sponsored for £80, when I last checked. I don’t want to reach £500. I want to smash right through it and add on hundreds more. Like the seashore lad, you can make a difference. Do it NOW. You’ll feel better all day.

Here’s the link:  https://www.trocaire.org/sponsor-me/jude-collins/omagh-half-marathon