Victoria Spence from Worsley has signed-up to take part in a unique West African event, only days after taking part in the Great Manchester Run. Victoria – founder of Girl Gains, a fitness movement empowering young women – is running both events in support of UK charity Street Child to help girls in Sierra Leone go to school and get an education.
Victoria will be travelling to Makeni to take part in the Sierra Leone Marathon on 29 May, immediately after running the Great Manchester Run on 22 May. Victoria will be joining runners from around the world to take part in ‘the world’s craziest and most worthwhile marathon’ (Runners World). Whilst there, participants will be given the opportunity to visit the charity’s projects and schools ahead of the race. Victoria will meet some of the children Street Child supports, many of whom have been orphaned by Ebola, as well as hear from the girls themselves why it’s so vital that they be given the chance to stay in school.
Victoria Spence said: “I’m passionate about empowering women and girls, so this chance to get involved with the charity’s work and help girls get an education really appealed to me. In a country where it’s so difficult for girls to stay at school because of poverty, gender inequality and family expectations, staying in school and getting an education is vital to help provide a brighter future for this generation of girls and their future children.”
This year, as Sierra Leone begins to rebuild following the recent Ebola outbreak, our intrepid runners will be coming together to show the world that Sierra Leone is very much open for business.
Mark Maughan, the Sierra Leone Marathon Race Director added: “I’m delighted to have over 100 UK runners sign up for the 2016 Sierra Leone Marathon, joining around 600 local runners. To have so many people willing to come and visit this beautiful country after such a devastating time during Ebola will show the people of Sierra Leone that we have not forgotten them and that there is still much work to do to help the children of Sierra Leone. It’s a great opportunity to witness the incredible work of Street Child and share in what is now Sierra Leone’s biggest sporting event.”
The Sierra Leone Marathon 2016 takes place in Makeni, Sierra Leone, on 29th May and will raise money exclusively to support Street Child’s work. If you would like to support Victoria and Street Child, you can donate to her fundraising page
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