The Book

This is the cover of the book 'I Ran the World' by Chris Long

I Ran the World is the story of how one man mobilised a team of 130 young volunteers in a small office in London, secured the support of huge organizations like Band Aid and UNICEF and then mobilised 20 million people around the world to run and demand action for Africa.

It is the story of young tireless volunteers working long into the night every day for months, refusing to take no for an answer.

It is how Chris Long convinced Jim Grant, the Executive Director of UNICEF, to make Sport Aid a centrepiece in bringing the message of the people to the UN Special Session on Africa in May 1986. It is the story of how all of this happened and what the results and consequences of Sport Aid really were.

But it is also a challenge to the young people of today to pick up the Sport Aid torch once more and run with it, finding their own way to change and affect the world in which they live.

I Ran the World tells the story of Chris’ passion to make a difference and how it led him to his vision for Sport Aid. It describes the challenges of getting Bob Geldof, Band Aid and UNICEF, the British Royals, British Airways, various governments and hundreds of road running organisations to support his vision. It tells the story of the challenges and ultimate heartbreak of Sport Aid ’88.  But it also tells the story of hope with Earthdive and Chris’s continuing struggle to make a difference – this time through citizen scientists protecting our oceans and reefs.

Finally, it provides a blue print for the next global event – using our latest communication technology and recognizing the short attention spans and lifestyles of young people today.

It is a passionate, at times funny and often insightful look at how one man and a group of like-minded people truly made a difference to the world in which they lived.”

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