By Nicky David, Tariro supporter

I have challenged myself to sleep in a tent in the garden for the 6 weeks of Lent. As a child and young adult, I loved camping but now in my early seventies, I haven’t slept in a tent for over 20 years and never during the winter. I will certainly be out of my comfort zone and I’m hoping you will support me by giving a donation to one of two charities, Tariro or Shelterbox.

Tariro is a small charity run by Fr Nicolas Stebbing, a member of the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield, Yorks. It supports disadvantaged children in Zimbabwe, providing them with education, shelter and the means to get out of poverty and support themselves in adulthood. (Tariro means “hope”.)

Shelterbox is a charity administered by Rotary, which provides emergency tents and equipment in disaster areas all over the world. I have seen the tents in situ in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and was impressed with what I saw.

The challenge should start from Ash Wednesday 2^nd March, but as I will be in England for four nights in the middle, I am going to start the challenge on Sat. 26^th February to make up for the “lost days”.

I would be grateful for any donations to these charities, however small. For Tariro, go to https://www.gofundme.com/tent-for-lent and for Shelterbox, please go to my Justgiving Page www.justgiving.com/NickyTentforLent.

Many thanks in anticipation of your help,

Nicky David