Clane school set to host 6k run/walk event next weekend to raise funds for project to help children with disabilities in Zambia
(Pictured:Paul Robinson with Kildare County players, Paul Dermody, Paul Cribbin and Offaly footballer Will Mulhall, Pop Up Races organiser Brian Conroy, Transition Year and 5th Year students travelling to Zambia Members of Clane Athletic Club: Lucy Mc Cann and Robyn Donovan)
By Kim O'Leary
Next weekend Scoil Mhuire Community School in Clane are hosting a 6k Run/Walk in aid their Outreach Zambia project on Saturday 19th May at 11am, and they will be joined by Kilcock-based athlete Paul Robinson who recently broke the record for the fastest mile ever run in Antarctica.
The upcoming event is to help raise funds for a volunteering trip to Zambia that a group of 10 students and 4 teachers are undertaking in June.
While there, the team will be working in the Cheshire Home, which is a home for young people with disabilities. The Cheshire Home is run by the Presentation Sisters in Mongu, Zambia. As well as working on the ground while in Zambia, they would also like to provide financial assistance to the Presentation Sisters as they build a rehabilitation centre for young people with disabilities.
Paul Robinson, Irish and European athlete will lead out the run/walk on Saturday 19th May at Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane. The 26-year-old undertook a record attempt to run the fastest mile in Antarctica on November 25 2017, and Paul shattered the previous record clocking in with an incredible time of 4 minutes and 17.9 seconds. The challenge was organised by Richard Donovan, a fellow Irish athlete who has become renowned for organising some of the world’s biggest adventure races.
Now Paul is lending his support to Scoil Mhuire in Clane in their fundraising efforts, and the 6K run/walk starts at 11am at the school and registration details can be on Pop Up Races; Adults are €15, Students €10 and there is a special family rate of €30 for two adults and two kids. Registration will be open on the morning of the 6K for those who have not registered online.
On the popupraces page a statement reads: "We hope to raise enough money to fund a follow-on centre for the children when they reach the age of 16. On the morning registration opens at 10am in Scoil Mhuire Community School Clane and the race will also start and end there. There will be a prize for Junior/Senior category and adult category. NOTE – THERE WILL BE AN OPTION FOR KIDS TO TAKE PART FOR €5 – THIS ENTRY IS AVAILABLE ON THE DAY ONLY, AND THE CHILD WILL NOT BE CHIP TIMED."
The ten students participating in the outreach project have gone through a rigorous interview process and have been working extremely hard in order to raise the funds required to make this trip a success.
The group are well on the way to raising their target sum of €40,000 and they are hoping that their last fundraising activity will get them over the line.
For more information visit https://www.popupraces.ie/events/6k-for-zambia/