Capital architects run for star's charity

Published on Friday 18 September 2009 21:18

A TEAM from an Edinburgh-based firm of architects will join Hollywood actor Edward Norton and magician David Blaine in the New York Marathon in November to raise money for a health clinic in Kenya.

Chief executive Peter Morrison and finance director Declan Thompson from RMJM will support the actor's charityn the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. The company has also pledged to provide the design and engineering for a $50,000 clinic in Kenya – where members of the Maasai tribe commonly have to walk 60 miles to find medical help.

Mr Thompson said: "We got involved with Edward Norton through our connections in Harvard, where we support a school of architecture. He has been associated with conservation and healthcare projects for the Maasai for some time."

Norton's Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust supports a range of ecological and humanitarian projects which benefit the 500,000 members of the tribe in Kenya and Tanzania. Thriller writer John Grisham and Sex in the City actress Kristin Davis are also supporters of the charity – which aims to raise $1 million to support various projects in the region.

Norton, who starred in Fight Club and Incredible Hulk, said he was delighted RMJM and global engineering company AECOM had come on board as sponsors.

"The capacity and talent these companies bring in design and architecture and technical and strategic services are matched only by their enthusiasm to contribute their expertise where it is truly needed most."