During August this year, Mr Gillan will be travelling to Chile to take part in the Atacama Crossing. This is a seven day stage race, with competitors running across the driest place on earth. Mr Gillan will have to carry all of his food and equipment for the seven days. Distances each day will range from 30 to 80km with the total race covering about 250km. You can find out more about the race at www.racingtheplanet.com.

Mr Gillan is hoping that support from the St George’s community will help him to finish the race and he is looking for people to sponsor him in aid of Fondaction Contre Le Cancer. This is the organisation that is close to the schools heart as it is linked to Margaux Hippenmeyer, who tragically lost her battle with cancer in 2005.

There are three ways that you can sponsor Mr Gillan. The first is to make a simple pledge of sponsorship for finishing the race, any amount is welcomed. You can also take part in two competitions. One of the stages is an 80km day / night stage. Correctly guess the time it will take Mr Gillan to complete this stage and win a prize! There is also a prize for the person who correctly guesses Mr Gillan’s overall finishing time. As a guide, last year the winner took 9hrs 13 mins for the 80km stage, and 32hrs 16 mins for the whole race. The last placed runner took 19 hrs for the 80km stage and 75 hrs for the whole race! To enter these competitions Mr Gillan is asking for a minimum pledge of 5chfs. In September there will be a presentation about the race at school, where the prizes will be awarded.

To sponsor Mr Gillan you can e-mail him at the school on mgillan@st-georges.ch, or send in a note to him at the school or via your son or daughter.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.