Can you help young sportsmen and women in Gambia with any spare trainers or kit?

By Don Hale

URGENT APPEAL TO HELP YOUNG SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN IN GAMBIA.

Spare trainers, and sports kit urgently wanted for underprivileged athletes...

Report by Don Hale.

 

North Wales Road Runner Steve Forsyth is appealing for any unwanted sports items including trainers, running t-shirts, vests, socks, shorts, unused gels, gloves, hats, and scarfs etc for use by underprivileged young athletes in Gambia.


*Steve Forsyth (above) is appealing for trainers and kit for Gambia.

Steve, who recently travelled to visit family and relatives in that country is urgently trying to fill a barrel load of equipment to send out there as soon as possible, and especially in time for potential participants in the local Banjul marathon.

He confirmed: ‘Wanted please, your unwanted, or no longer used, men’s and women’s trainers, together with any other unwanted sports gear. 

‘I am sending them to Gambia for people who can’t afford trainers. I am happy to collect from any corner of the UK and note that we already have received some serious shoes including Saucony racing flats, to Nike racers.’

And ideally, Steve is also hoping that some sort of association may be developed in time with The Gambia Police running team, together with any potential twinning arrangements, or a possible exchange deal for young athletes.

*If anyone has any suitable items, they can be brought to the Conwy parkrun either this Saturday morning or next. It is situated at he RSPB site, and they can be left from 8.15am to 10am. Steve is also available via Facebook if required.

Don Hale is a former award winning investigative journalist and now a best-selling author who has created a very popular blog post linked to numerous social media sites. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025.

Comments

Post a Comment

Most recent posts

RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run 2026

By Don Hale
Image
  *Flashback to last year's RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom. RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run 2026 donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Race organiser John Hatton challenges runners to be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for charity runs, hosted by Llandudno RNLI!  And John also added: " Just working on a race for next year 5k RSPB.  I came up with the idea, when I was invited to a site visit by the Contractors, Jennings.   "I have spoken to Helen the manager and she is really keen, we can have cafe as race HQ plus of course the toilets, it will help put back what they have lost over the time with the new course at Conwy." 💙 Sign up today and be a lifesaver! https://rnli.niftyentries.com/RLNI-Llandudno-5K-1K-Fun-Run-2026   *Just giving link if you want  to donate only https://www.justgiving.com/page/llandudno-rnli-5km-2026 🏃‍♂️  5km Run  – Open to all ages and abilities -  11:00am  👟  1km Fun Run ...
Read more

COWFEST 2026 comes to North Wales in June 2026.

By Don Hale
Image
donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Dave Munday from parkrun North Wales has provided details of a unique series of events including one that's available in North Wales in June! Cowfest 2026 We are delighted to announce the four locations for Cowfest 2026 on 20th June. What is a Cowfest?! It's an annual gathering for UK tourists.  Curious to learn more? Search this page for highlights and details from previous years!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739 Scotland - Crathes Castle South - Dinton Pastures Wales - Erddig North - Ushaw Historic House You will find each event listed in the events section, where we will be sharing the latest updates and information for every location. We look forward to seeing you at Cowfest on 20th June 2026. Dave Munday:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739/user/1239379759
Read more

Conwy parkrun returns to its original World Ranking course on 20/6/26

By Don Hale
Conwy parkrun returns to its original World Ranking course on 26/6/26 donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Message from Conwy Run Director Bethan Wyn Roberts Hi Conwy parkrunners, I am delighted to confirm that as of the 20th June 2026, the start of Conwy parkrun will revert to the RSPB. There will be some minor alterations to the way we start our event until all current building work at the site has been cleared away. The RSPB car park will be open and available to park runners from 08:15 am and will be closed no later than 08:40 am. After this time runners will need to utilise alternative parking at Tesco and Conwy Business Park. This is a new chapter for Conwy parkrun and I hope it will be treated as such. Now is the time to look forward with excitement and not to revisit old arguments. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the core group of amazing Run Directors and volunteers who have tirelessly worked to keep Conwy parkrun on the map. You truly ar...
Read more

50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL - IT'S NOW 50 YEARS SINCE THIS BRUTAL MURDER - TV documentary and best selling book - MURDER IN THE GRAVEYARD - BBC video and Harper Collins book.

By Don Hale
Image
MURDER IN THE GRAVEYARD:   The  BBC’s award-winning documentary, and best selling book by Harper Collins and author Don Hale:   https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/perryscope21/curation/5fbfda6b-ed53-4e19-8526-378b30b4f429 The Wendy Sewell murder September 1973 in Bakewell cemetery.   *VIEW THIS REVEALING BBC DOCUMENTARY NOW FOR FREE:  Length 28 mins 37 secs.  https://youtu.be/Y3Fe-KGQRUw It's your chance to examine the facts behind Britain's worst ever high profile miscarriage of justice where a man spent nearly 28-years in jail for a murder he  did not commit.   This is the award-winning BBC documentary produced by BBC Pebble Mill at Birmingham about the  Stephen Downing investigation - Murder in the Graveyard  - which examined the evidence that helped to eventually quash the conviction of a man jailed for nearly 28 years for a murder he did not commit - that of  Wendy Sewell in Bakewell cemetery in September 1973 . This exclusive ...
Read more

David Gibson's incredible journey from the couch to World championship medals

By Don Hale
One thing leads to another:  From the couch to World Championship Silver medals A special and personal journey  report by Welsh Master veteran David Gibson donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Read about David Gibson's incredible journey from the couch to World championship medals  In 2014 at the age of 62, I thought that I was reasonably fit through sailing, swimming, cycling and walking. However, a desk job and driving over 30,000 miles a year meant my legs struggled with any running over half a mile.  With support from my son and daughter and with the 2012 London Olympics slogan ‘Inspire a Generation’ in mind, I embarked upon ‘Couch to 5k’ and did what so many do - a Parkrun in Hove, whilst they were there for the Brighton Marathon. There was no way I could realise then where this would lead. Like so many others, the 5k led to a 10k, which led to a half Marathon and then a full Marathon at Manchester in 2015. Despite the Manchester results being binn...
Read more

Proud moment for athletics coach John Hatton and a popular former midwife Sharon Buckley.

By Don Hale
Image
*John Hatton (*above left), with Sharon Buckley at the Conwy half-marathon. Proud moment for athletics coach John Hatton and a popular former community midwife Sharon Buckley. It was a proud moment this weekend for athletics coach, MC and promoter, John Hatton as he saw his new running protegee  Sharon Buckley – a well-known former North Wales midwife - cross the finish line at the challenging Conwy half-marathon with a remarkable time. John, who is heavily involved with North Wales Road Runners , Conwy parkrun , and is also a keen supporter and promoter of a host of charity events, confirmed: “Over the last 6 months I have been training Sharon, who is 60, to run her first half-marathon which she did today in 2.34.17, which is a fantastic achievement. “Sharon was a highly respected midwife in North Wales, and at one time she received an award as the top midwife in the Betsi Cadwalader Health Board for her dedicated service to the community.” *John Hatton was on hand last ...
Read more

Porth Eirias Runners successful take-over at the Llandrillo Yn Rhos parkrun

By Don Hale
Porth Eirias Runners successful take-over at the Llandrillo Yn Rhos parkrun... Introduction by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blog.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It proved to be a spectacular take-over at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun on Saturday by Porth Eirias Runners (PER), with this rapidly expanding local club providing a host of supportive members to help volunteer and marshal at this popular weekly event. Despite a very gusty wind and some 435 runners to organise, plus some light-hearted banter and a challenge from a couple of boats from the Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club, it all went very well, and the event organisers posted their comments on Facebook.   PER Organiser Catrin Williams confirmed:  “Parkrun takeover. A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered, took part, or ran at parkrun this morning  Y Promenâd parkrun, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos “We had an amazing turnout of marshals, from first-time volunteers to experienced helpers, taking on a variety of roles. It was fan...
Read more

THE LIBERATION OF JERSEY & WARTIME SECRETS: Some compelling wartime memories from three remarkable men...by Don Hale.

By Don Hale
Image
  THE LIBERATION OF JERSEY & WARTIME SECRETS:  Some compelling wartime memories from three remarkable men...by Don Hale.   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 New paperback book. Available on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/3Keb4Jw The Jersey Boys and Liberation!   Some compelling wartime memories from three remarkable men...  Now available from Amazon in paperback, ebook or audio versions: Special Coast and Country online magazine feature... Amazon audio book:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2HQ2VN4 Paperback:  https://amzn.to/3Keb4Jw Kindle ebook:  https://amzn.to/46ew7TP This is the true story of two remarkable Jersey Boys, and an eventual Liberator, who were all teenagers at the start of World War Two, but soon became embroiled in a variety of dramatic events following the Occupation of Jersey in the Channel Islands by German Forces during 1940-45. Joe  Miére  (* pictured above ), was a constant thorn in the side of the Nazi invaders and ...
Read more

Top runner with twin buggy was the first finisher at Rhos event.

By Don Hale
Top runner with twin buggy was first finisher at Rhos event. donhaleblog.blog.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) was the first finisher at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning complete with his twin baby buggy in just 17 minutes and 26 seconds, but he was made to fight all the way by keen rival Iain Burgess in 17.42, with teenager Eben Jones third in 18.37. The bright and very breezy conditions failed to deter a large number of visiting athletes and walkers amongst the 435 finishers, with  Porth Eirias Runners  providing generous support and a take-over of many marshalling and volunteering positions. And Richard Peevor,  one of the Rhos parkrun officials also confirmed :  “Today has been a special day. A very special day. This was the first day that I ran the parkrun that I set up last year. I ran it with Barry Dickenson, one of our visually impaired runners. That was so fabulous and what this is all about!”  *The pa...
Read more

Visitors set a hot pace on a cold, frosty morning at the Rhos parkrun – plus other results and reports from the region.

By Don Hale
Image
*Runners listen to the briefing at the start of the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun. Visitors set a hot pace on a cold, frosty morning at the Rhos parkrun – plus other results and reports from the region... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Pictured above and below - the mass start of the Rhos parkrun. It was another jam-packed and fun-filled occasion on Saturday morning at the new Llandrillo yn Rhos (Y Promenade) parkrun last Saturday following a record-breaking attendance on Christmas Day. Despite the freezing temperatures and a generous covering of heavy frost around the region, with the icy conditions causing the cancellation of rival events at  Conwy  and at  Nova , the Rhos parkrun, possibly aided by a light layer of sand at key points, was given the green light, much to the delight of 576 eager entrants. And many runners later expressed their gratitude to the run director  Dougie Graham  and his RD colleagues,...
Read more