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East Anglia paddle to raise funds for leprosy centre

A sponsored paddle to raise funds for a leprosy centre in Zimbabwe with links to a Norfolk Franciscan missionary is set to take place during July.


Teresa Yonge and James Perkins are fundraising to buy much needed water storage tanks for Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre, which was where former Norfolk schoolboy John Bradburne worked for ten years caring for the lepers, before he was murdered by guerrillas.

John’s Sainthood Cause was approved by the Vatican last year.

Teresa is John Bradburne’s niece and the 134-mile sponsored paddle will take place along the River Stour on the Suffolk/Essex border from July 1.

Kate Macpherson, Secretary of the John Bradburne Memorial Society, said: “As Zimbabwe faces hotter summers and increased water shortages, these water tanks prove to be a lifeline for the Mutemwa residents. This will mean that they will have a more stable and reliable access to water in the future.

“The situation in Zimbabwe is dire and people are suffering greatly all over the country. Water is a high priority right now with all the droughts they have been having in that part of Africa.”

Due to the coronavirus government restrictions, Teresa and James will paddle the distance of 134 miles together in a 15 ft open Canadian canoe travelling the 24 miles from Sudbury to Cattawade six times.

You can support the duo at: www.justgiving.com/campaign/JBMSwatertanks

Read more about John Bradburne on this website.

Please visit the website www.johnbradburne.com

Pictured above are Teresa Yonge and James Perkins in their Canadian canoe ready for the sponsored paddle.

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