Photo: AFP/GETTY

We were inspired by Sir Ranulph Fiennes recent talk at the Royal Geographical Society, where he shared stories of extraordinary courage.

His own life demonstrates the kind of sustained bravery he admires in others—the first man to cross the north and south poles and climb the world’s highest peak, winner of ITV Greatest Britons 2007 Sport Award—his endurance and daring are stunning.

Just 3½ months after a massive heart attack (including a 3-day coma and double bypass surgery), Sir Ranulph ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days.

A man who believes in following your dreams, his incredible achievements are highly motivational.

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Join us for inclusive Boxercise each Saturday and Monday – bring a friend or make new friends, feel good and have more energy. All ages and disabilities welcome.

(See below for more information.)

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Inside Superfit Fitness Club

Disabled especially welcome.

All abilities from beginners to advanced athletes benefit from our fun ‘Boxercise Marathon’ sessions—just one hour of solid workout to get you warm and fit this winter.

Bring a friend or come alone and make new friends.

We are a non-profit and ask for just £1 donation per session. (Boxercise sessions are usually £6 to 8.) Support your community sports!

When? Mondays 5 – 6 PM and Saturdays noon-1 PM.

Where? Superfit Fitness Club, 406 Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, London  E8 3PN

Totally inclusive sports brought to you by AccessSport.

Here’s a map for you – if you have any questions at all, please feel welcome to contact Coach Danny on 07951 627 066.
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London 2012 will feature the fast, high-energy sport of Wheelchair Basketball.

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This is how we feel after a great Boxercise session!

Boxercise, or non-contact boxing, is a great all-over, feel-good workout. Come join us. All abilities (and disabilities) welcome!

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Access Sport Ambassador, Bradley Wiggins, signing autographs. Photo from AccessSport Ride Around London

Chain Reaction Cycles tells us that Ride Around London is backed by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London and keen cyclist.

Boris Johnson: “I am hugely supportive of Access Sport’s new Ride Around London cycle challenge. By jumping on your bike, seeing our great city in all its glory and having a huge amount of fun, you will also be helping to secure a genuine sporting legacy for those Londoners who need it most. Book your place today!”

Ride Around London will be a challenging 115 mile (approx.) annual cycling event taking in some of the fantastic cycling that London has to offer. The carefully planned route, taking in Olympic landmarks past and present, has been devised by respected cycle-tour veteran and former National Chairman of the Cyclists Touring Club, Andy Cook.

Meet this fundraising challenge and have fun! You will be helping AccessSport to transform young lives through sport. Sign up now!

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Another brilliant project on Kickstarter. Check out The Guitar Player movie. Half of all profits from the film will be donated to homeless charities. An independent film about a homeless musician, this is a very special project. Make a pledge today. You can get awards, and even be a movie extra or producer!

Be a part of something truly extraordinary. Share this remarkable idea with your friends on twitter and Facebook.

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This year, Malaika Youth Project made a strong showing at the annual Buganda Day of Sport in Newham.

A day of fitness and fun, there were activities for everyone from the age of 3 years and up – the seniors had no excuse not to participate, as the sports ranged from track and field to table tennis, football to omweso (a board game in the Mancala family). Awards and prizes were given to individuals, groups and clans.

Celebrating the clan, the building block of Buganda society (also spelled Baganda) the day promotes friendship, diversity and unity.

Member of the managing committee, Daniel Lutaaya, said, ‘Social cohesion is more important than ever in today’s world of factions and discontent. Especially after the recent riots, we at Malaika wanted to show that people are stronger together. Together, we can overcome adversity.’

Habib Musisi, another member of the management committee, was pleased with Malaika Youth Project’s participation in this large community experience. ‘This event brings together all Ugandans in the UK, helping to maintain, preserve and promote the culture.’

Community events like these promote goodwill, tolerance and a sense of belonging. The absence of a sense of belonging has been shown to be increase crime, and foster a perceived lack of economic and social opportunity, and hopelessness. Malaika Youth Project targets these societal ills by providing free or very low-cost inclusive sports, education and mentoring. Everyone, of every ablity and disability is welcome. Find out if we are offering something that’s right for you!

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Are you a total beginner, or been inactive lately? Are you or a family member disabled?

Join us for Boxercise (safe, non-contact boxing) twice a week. Our fully qualified instructors are friendly and can tailor your Boxercise classes for virtually any special need.

Don’t be intimidated—you can achieve the benefits of Boxercise, including boosted self-confidence, more energy, better concentration and better performance at school or work. The gains you get from sport can spread throughout your life, so give it a try.

Suggested donation of £1 per class; no one is turned away. The Summer programme runs through 10 September 2011.

WHEN? Wednesdays  5.00-6.30 PM and Saturdays  Noon-1.30 PM

WHERE: West Ham Park (Near Margery Gate, Upton Lane, E7 9PU)

QUESTIONS? Call or text Coach Danny on 07961 627 066 or email us at info@malaikayouthproject.org.uk

In partnership with Access Sport, Transforming Lives Through Sport.

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‘Hole in the Head’ performed by Rebecca Anne-Withey

The incredibly talented deaf artist Rebecca Anne Withey wittily performs the Sugababes song with her ‘split personalities’.  Rebecca inspired us to add a new category to our blog:  Outstanding Artists. (Find out more about Rebecca’s work on The Dancing Phoenix.)

Let us know who else you would like us to feature!

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Kampala, Uganda ~ The Book Club launched with the comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

Fast, wickedly funny, tender and quirky, Much Ado About Nothing was the perfect choice to launch our Book Club in Kampala. The new club members are enjoying performances of the play to illuminate their readings.

All of the members are new to Shakespeare, and they have been commenting that they never thought the Bard could be so easy to understand and enjoyable. Well done, and keep up the fun!

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Photo: Espen Faugstad

One of our Trustees is visiting our Ugandan base, where he is also delivering books for the Malaika Book Club.

The girls and boys, and young men and women of the area, are gaining reading and writing skills while having so much fun that they do not even realise they are learning. They are enjoying the companionship of the Book Club, along with the great stories of authors from around the world that they discover together.

100% of all Malaika Book Club donations go towards the purchase of books for young people, and are much appreciated.

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