Woman runs to buy cow

Cows could bring health and wealth to Kenyan schoolchildren

Kenyan children could soon have fresh milk with their breakfast thanks to the efforts of a woman from Guildford who is running a marathon.

Dita Staton is running 26 miles in the Prague International Marathon in May to raise £220 to buy a cow named Bubble.

The 29-year-old researcher, who moved to Guildford six years ago from the Czech Republic, has named the cow after her own nickname - her husband Patrick calls her "Bubblebird".

Dita said: "It's a fun name, but I chose it because it's easy to say. Other people call their cows 'Peace' and 'Charity', but Bubble will be easy for the schoolchildren to pronounce.

"She will belong to the children, who will be able to say Bubble is their cow."

Bubble will belong to the schoolchildren

Dita Staton
Marathon runner

She explained when Bubble moves to the school, she will not only be a friend to the children, but will also make their lives healthier and could earn money for the school.

Without fresh milk, children in Kenya are forced to eat their ugali - a type of maize-like porridge - either as a dry cereal, or with dirty or disease-contaminated water.

Bubble's milk will improve the children's diet and her manure will be used to help crops to grow.

Her calves, produced by artificial insemination, will be sold to raise funds for pencils and books, or given to other schools.

She will have her own purpose-built cowshed and special Nappier grass to eat, to ensure a good supply of milk.

Dita said: "Kenya is a very poor country and this will help."

Calf births

When Bubble has moved to the Kenyan school, sponsors will be able to see whether she has had calves by visiting the website for the Stevenage-based Christian charity, Peacemakers International.

Dita, who ran four European marathons as a teenager, has taken a 10-year break from running, but is now back in training for her gruelling challenge on May 18.

She said: "I want to prove to myself that I can still do it and, at the same time, raise money for a worthwhile cause. With everyone's help, we might even up with two cows."

Anyone interested in sponsoring Dita or donating money to the Cows for Kenya project, can contact her husband, Patrick Staton, on 07773 281 940 or send an email to [e-mail]