How challenge-type fundraising methods can help to rapidly generate awareness for Sparkle

Lee Ryan's extraordinary feat highlights how important it is to capture the public's imagination in fundraising efforts

As many of you will hopefully have seen, runner Lee Ryan recently wrapped up a challenge of superhuman proportions, with friends and family providing a hero’s welcome at the finish line of his 40th marathon in as many days (yep, you read that right), all in the name of raising funds and awareness for Sparkle.


As well as raising over $8,000 in funds so far, Lee’s heroics led to a noticeable spike in engagement across Sparkle’s social media platforms, particularly on Facebook and Instagram. If we take a close look at the statistics for May 2023, the month in which most of Lee’s marathons were run, we see that Instagram likes jumped by a mammoth 47.6% in comparison to April, with post engagements jumping 50.8% and the rate of new followers jumping by 34.5%. On Facebook, the rate of likes and new fans also saw an increase, as well as a 40.9% jump in engagement on LinkedIn. 


This trend in rapidly expanded social media engagement as a result of challenge-type fundraising methods should be taken note of by the NGO sector. To take an extreme example, the 537% rise in Twitter followers for internet celebrity runner Russ Cook (known more commonly as “Hardest Geezer”), accompanied by an increase in Youtube video views of over 6000%, should not be treated as an insignificant anomaly. A fundraising effort that captures the hearts and minds of whoever views it inevitably leads to that viewer sharing it with their followers and friends, who in turn share it, and before you know it, engagement rates and ultimately awareness for what the NGO in question does spreads faster than you could have wished for. 


This begins to paint a picture of just how significant Lee’s contribution to Sparkle has been, aside from purely funds immediately raised. 


So what can YOU do?
We have a wonderful opportunity on the horizon for other supporters of Sparkle to emulate Lee and produce this effect, in the form of the London Landmarks Half-Marathon in April 2024. Sparkle are currently looking for runners to represent us, in a feat that would double up as both a magnificent personal achievement for the runner, as well as a chance to create this spike in awareness for Sparkle that, ultimately, furthers our ability to help provide access to education and more for children in Malawi.


Additionally, even if intense running challenges sound like a no-go for you, use Lee's story as an impetus to set yourself a challenge - spreading awareness of the crucial work Sparkle does with the communities in Malawi we aim to enact positive change in, and engaging with people's hearts in a way that encourages them to truly form a passion for the futures of the ever-expanding group of children we work with here at Sparkle, is worth a tremendous amount.


the health team from the sparkle foundation sitting around a table packing medicine

Healing Hands: The Power of Accesilble Healthcare

By Alexandr Tsarev • April 6, 2026
It’s early morning in rural Malawi. The road is slick with mud after heavy rain through the night. An eight-months-pregnant woman walks barefoot along it, cradling her swollen belly, her one-year-old tied securely to her back in a chitenje. Her waters have broken. She is not walking towards a hospital. She is walking towards hope — searching for anyone who can help her bring her baby safely into the world. For too many women across Sub-Saharan Africa, this is not an exceptional story. It's reality . Pregnancy, childbirth, fever, infection, or a sick child can quickly become life-threatening when healthcare is far away, roads are washed out, transport is unaffordable, and the nearest clinic is beyond reach. The Sparkle Outreach Clinic This is why, in March 2026, The Sparkle Foundation launched its Outreach Clinics initiative. The idea is simple but vital: if patients cannot reach the clinic, then the clinic must reach them . By mobilising our clinical team and taking services directly into hard-to-reach, remote villages in Malawi, we are bringing healthcare closer to the people who need it most.
African children in a classroom setting. A little girl is holding a book and looking at the camera

Learning Poverty: The Silent Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa

By Alexandr Tsarev • March 16, 2026
Malawi faces a severe learning crisis, but quality education and free secondary schooling offer hope for empowering children and shaping a stronger future.

NAMA Women Advancement Teams Up with The Sparkle Foundation for Sustainable Transformation in Malawi

By Talhia Le Berre • March 9, 2026
In Malawi, the journey to economic independence is often hindered long before adulthood begins. Only 16% of children start secondary school , and of these, just a quarter graduate . For girls and rural communities, these numbers drop even further. Families struggle to pay school fees, students walk long distances to reach classrooms, and overcrowded schools stretch limited resources. These challenges do more than affect educational outcomes — they reinforce cycles of poverty that limit opportunities for women and youth for generations. Many face restricted access to employable skills, financial literacy, mentorship, and capital , while societal norms too often undermine their confidence and voice. At The Sparkle Foundation, we believe that when women and guardians thrive, children flourish. That’s why we are proud to announce a powerful new collaboration driving sustainable change. A Partnership with Purpose: NAMA Women Advancement x The Sparkle Foundation We're honoured to partner with NAMA Women Advancement, a UAE-based organisation committed to elevating women’s economic participation and building inclusive, resilient communities worldwide. Together, we have launched Spark to Success , a two-year initiative that will uplift 200 underserved women, youth, and their families in Zomba, Malawi by equipping them with practical skills, financial tools, and pathways to economic independence. This project focuses on the mothers and guardians of children enrolled in our Early Childhood Development programme, the pillars of their households and communities. When they have access to dignified, sustainable livelihoods, entire families are strengthened. About the Spark to Success Initiative Spark to Success tackles systemic barriers head-on by delivering a diverse range of vocational and business-building skills, including: Tailoring Information Technology Weaving Solar panel installation Sustainable farming Financial literacy Business mentorship Career counselling By the end of the programme: 100 participants will launch their own small enterprises through seed funding 100 will be supported to pursue meaningful employment opportunities The ripple effect is enormous, reaching approximately 1,200 people as families gain access to better nutrition, financial stability, and improved educational pathways for their children. Early Impact: Skills Delivered, Confidence Built Though the programme is still in its early stages, the transformation has already begun. 28 women across two villages have completed Solar Panel Installation Training Over 50 participants have received Financial Literacy and Business Development coaching Not only are these women gaining technical expertise, but they are also building confidence, financial autonomy, and the power to lead change within their communities. This is what sustainable transformation looks like. Gratitude to NAMA Women Advancement We extend our heartfelt thanks to NAMA Women Advancement for their trust, commitment, and belief in our mission. Your partnership is more than a collaboration. It is a catalyst for generational change. Together, we are demonstrating a powerful truth : When you empower a woman, you strengthen a family. When families are stable, children thrive. And when children thrive, communities transform. This is not short-term aid. This is long-term, lasting impact.