British Athletes Run In Sierra Leone

Runners from the UK joined hundreds of fundraisers from around the world in Makeni to raise cash for Ebola orphans.

20:34 26 October 2015

51 British athletes have participated in the Sierra Leone marathon, held in the northern city of Makeni, to raise funds for Ebola orphans whose number reached 12,000. Sierra Leone has been Ebola-free for 26 days. Street Child hopes to raise at least £100,000 to support its Legacy of Ebola Appeal and help children who were left homeless or without a family after the killer disease ravaged the country.

 

Chief Executive of the charity, Tom Dannatt said: “We’re delighted to be able to return to Makeni in Northern Sierra Leone for this fourth outing of the Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon.

 

"We’ve welcomed runners from across the UK and beyond to take on this unique sporting challenge.

 

 

“On the same day as our last event in May 2014, Sierra Leone registered its first Ebola patient.

 

"It’s been a devastating 18 months for a country already struggling against extreme poverty.

 

“Our intrepid runners have spent the last few days visiting Street Child projects to understand a little more about how Ebola has affected vulnerable children in Sierra Leone, many of whom were orphaned by the virus.

 

"I hope they will return to the UK full of enthusiasm for how our work is helping to improve their lives."

 

To get more details or to support the charity, visit www.Street-Child.co.uk