STUDENTS and teachers at a Cork school are among those taking part in this years’ The Echo Virtual Women’s Mini Marathon to raise funds for charity.

Some 36 students and 14 staff members from St Patrick’s Secondary School, Gardiners Hill are taking part in the race and raising vital funds for an Irish registered charity working in the Rift Valley in Kenya.

Development charity Pamoja (meaning together in Swahili) was founded by James Hennessy, whose sister Catherine teaches at St Patrick’s Secondary School, and works with rural communities in areas of health, education and farming.

“We have taken part in the mini marathon for the last few years with transition years and we do it for different charities every year,” said June McCarthy, a teacher at St Patrick’s. “We were keen to support James’ charity and the work they do.”

Some students will take part in the mini marathon together while other students and teachers will carry it out in their backyards.

This year, The Echo Virtual Women’s Mini Marathon is just one way the school is supporting Development Pamoja.

“We decided to do a series of events to raise money for the charity,” explained Ms McCarthy. “We thought what better way to launch it than with The Echo Virtual Women’s Mini Marathon.”

Development Pamoja works with rural communities in Kenya focusing mainly on health, education and farming. The charity focuses on basic issues like agriculture, water, education, health, and through demonstration, training and funding initiatives, it is encouraging and supporting people in improving their own lives.

The charity has opened a medical centre in a local Kenyan village, which now caters for more than 3,000 people and is the nearest medical facility for 2,000km. The charity also supports a program focusing specifically on disability.

HOW TO TAKE PART...

The event ‘6K Your Way’ is free to register, on theechominimarathon.ie. 

You can complete it by walking, running or jogging. 

We are encouraging people to do the 6K on September 20, adhering to all government guidelines. 

If you can’t complete your 6K on September 20 you can also do it from September 18 to September 27.

Upload your results on the website and download a certificate of completion. You also have the option of paying for a race number and a medal.

Be sure to share your photographs with us, across all social media platforms and use the hashtag #6KYourWay or #theechominimarathon