I have very kindly been offered a place at the 2021 London Marathon to help raise funds for MapAction.

I will be pulling on my trainers and putting in the many miles and hours of training so I can give my best on the day of the marathon… all to maximise awareness and funds for MapAction.

Please do help me support MapAction in anyway you can.  Please direct folk to my blogs and social media as I progress through training, and more importantly spread the word of the incredible work MapAction do.  If you feel able, I would be grateful of any sponsorship you feel able: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EdwardWallington.  I look forward to seeing fellow runners out there!

For those that have not heard of MapAction, they are a non-profit organisation that collaborates with partners around the world to help anticipate, prepare for and respond to humanitarian emergencies. They strive to ensure governments, regional and local disaster management agencies and humanitarian responders have access to the information and analysis that they need to make key decisions, at the right times, to save lives and alleviate suffering.

MapAction believes that applying geospatial expertise to humanitarian situations can greatly improve outcomes for the people affected.

Example COVID-19 map from MapAction (c) MapActionMapAction COVID-19 map Screenshot

Global humanitarian needs outstrip resources. Expert geospatial and data analysis can help stretch those resources for maximum impact. Many professionals want to donate their energy and skills to help. MapAction is the bridge which enables them to do so effectively.  You can read more about how MapAction provide support here.

It is also worth a read of the support activity around COVID-19, to name one of many support situation over the past year.

The work of MapAction resonates with me.  I work for a leading geospatial company, and am aware of the value location can provide to a range of situations, especially humanitarian and emergency responses.