This June, I will challenge myself in a rather unique and unconventional way and run my first ever (half) marathon in West Africa’s Sierra Leone with RuntheWorld, supporting the work of NGO, Street Child.

The marathon will raise money to provide education to vulnerable children in Sierra Leone by supporting local education projects in rural villages.

I invited RuntheWorld founder and CEO, Carole Sanchez, and European Development Manager for Street Child, Marina López, on the show to speak about this amazing collaboration.

Support my fundraiser at: https://www.facebook.com/donate/707086313835570/10158492532757765/

About RuntheWorld: 

RuntheWorld is a social enterprise providing adventure and sporting touristic experiences with a positive impact. They offer authentic experiences that involve local immersion and support social projects from a place of humility, optimism and solidarity.

About Street Child:

Street Child is a global organisation that helps vulnerable children to overcome barriers to gain access to the education they deserve.

Their work in Sierra Leone:

Street Child of Sierra Leone works with rural communities in some of the most remote parts of Sierra Leone, where children often miss out on the opportunity to gain the most basic literacy and numeracy skills. In places with no access to schools, they work in partnership with willing rural communities to build ‘first-ever schools’ and identify members of the community to undertake formal distance teacher training. They also support struggling rural schools with teaching and learning materials and essential school repairs, alongside tailored teacher training that emphasises inclusive education.

Why education?

As the world’s focus continues on the aftermath of the pandemic and the war unravelling in Ukraine, more than 300 million children around the world lack basic literacy skills, inhibited by poverty and lack of access to education. According to UNESCO, “Education is a human right and a force for sustainable development and peace.” If we are to achieve Sustainable Development Goal #4 - Quality Education, the work of organisations like Street Child is imperative.

The event:

It’s not just a marathon. It’s about one week’s immersion in the local community, an adventure that has an impact on many lives. After visiting rural and urban projects and meeting the families that benefit from the program, I will run a unique and ambitious race through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the north of Sierra Leone that wind through exuberant green countryside and local communities.