A unique 377 kilometer marathon race has been organized in memory of Steve Willis, a British national who was killed by rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army in the Murchison Falls National Park on November 8th last year.
Willis was the founder and owner of the Red Chilli lodge and campsites, low-cost tourist facilities in Kampala and Masindi.
A press statement from Red Chilli says that on 4th and 5th November this year, several hundred people will join together in a special charity event in Willis' memory. They will participate in a 377 kilometer relay involving cyclists, runners and walkers of all ages. The marathon relay will start at the Red Chilli Rest Camp at Paraa in Murchison Falls National Park and finishing at the Red Chilli Hideaway hostel in Mbuya, Kampala.
According to the statement, the objective of the event is to raise funds to help conflict-affected communities in northern Uganda. Funds are already being received from individuals and companies, both here in Uganda and abroad. The target is to raise 15 million shillings by 5th November.
A fund in Willis' honor was set up in November 2005. It has already raised over 20 million shillings for disadvantaged groups in Uganda.
Willis' family says it is important to them that this event takes place in Uganda, the country in which Steve had chosen to settle, start up in business and raise his family.
