Heroes Run: A decade of super-heroic fundraising
The race is on
On May 18 the iconic Heroes Run celebrates 10 years of lycra action by going up against the new evil kid on the block, the Villains Run. Entrants are given the choice to run as either a hero or a villain in an epic race between good and evil! As usual there’s an adults’ 10km and 5km race as well as a youth mile and a kids’ 500m dash.
Since 2005 the Heroes Run has been the principal fundraiser for the volunteer-run charity Pass It On Africa. From humble beginnings (a fundraising bucket, homemade Batman and Robin costumes and a photocopier) the charity has successfully helped build three schools in Kenya, Ghana and The Gambia. These schools collectively support 1,200 students each year.
In Busumbala, west Gambia, the charity has funded the entire building of the Fresh Start Skills Centre, which officially opened in September 2013. Within the first month the centre provided basic pre-school education to over 100 infant students between the ages of 4 and 6. In addition, the centre is now giving 24 young people the chance to gain skills-based training in carpentry, metal work, conservation, farming and woodland management.
“It is hard to overstate what Pass It On Africa has achieved,” says Lamin Daffeh, Director of The Fresh Start Foundation.
“There is just no way that any of these children, most of which are orphans, would get into the school system without this resource. Education is the best way out of poverty because it empowers children to build their own futures.”
The race entry fees cover the costs of both the event itself and the entire annual running of the charity. Pass It On Africa therefore rely hugely on runner sponsorship in order to continue building schools in Africa and are challenging every runner to raise just £20 sponsorship.
“Organising this event in our spare time is not easy, but every year we see the impact that our runners’ fundraising has and this inspires us to keep it going,” says Pass It On Africa co-founder, Matt Lambert.
So, all that’s left to do is choose your side! Are you a hero or a villain? Enter online, raise £20 sponsorship before race day and help continue to support education in Africa.
You can read more about Pass It On Africa achievements and enter this year’s race at www.heroesrun.org.uk/content/hrlegacy
