Mayo couple take on Dublin Marathon for Kenyan communities

A couple living and working in Mayo are preparing to run the Dublin City Marathon next weekend to raise funds for an Irish charity supporting communities in Kenya.

Anca and Costi Trulea, originally from Brazil, will take on the 42.2km challenge in aid of Brighter Communities Worldwide, which works alongside local communities in Kenya to improve healthcare, education, access to clean water and other essential services.

The couple have seen the impact of the charity’s work first-hand, having travelled to Kenya as volunteers.

Anca is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mayo University Hospital, which has maintained a partnership with Londiani District Hospital in Kenya for more than 20 years.

Through that partnership, the couple have witnessed the difference fundraising and community-led development can make to people’s lives.

In a message ahead of the marathon, Anca said the couple had completed 23 weeks of training and had run more than 650km in preparation for the event.

She said their experience in Kenya had shown them how even small donations could make a significant difference.

“Five or 10 euro can make a real difference,” she said, explaining that donations could help girls access menstrual hygiene products, protect girls from female genital mutilation, provide clean water or help pregnant women receive appropriate care and deliver safely with a trained midwife.

Anca said access to basic healthcare, education and clean water could not be taken for granted in many communities.

“As a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mayo University Hospital, I know how important access to quality healthcare is,” she said.

She added that visiting Kenya and meeting the people involved had allowed the couple to see the real impact of the support provided.

“That’s why this cause means so much to us. We are not just running 42.2km; we are running to help make a lasting difference in people’s lives,” she said.

Brighter Communities Worldwide works with communities in Kenya through locally led development programmes, with funds raised by the couple supporting essential healthcare services, equipment and improved patient outcomes.

Anca and Costi are encouraging people to support their fundraising effort, stressing that every contribution, regardless of size, can help improve lives.

The couple will wear green and orange tops during the marathon.

Donations can be made through their fundraising page at Anca and Costi’s fundraising page.