U4 Pupil, Zach Lloyd, and parents are running the Sierra Leone Half Marathon on 5 May 2024 to fundraise for Street Child. Zach tells us a little about the event below and what we can do to support him;

"For as long as I can remember I have felt that all children deserve the same resources and opportunities as each other. This is why I want to take part in the annual Sierra Leone marathon for Street Child. Street Child is one of the fastest growing international children charities and was started by a Norwich school family! It works to insure that children are safe in school and learning in some of the world’s toughest places. On the 5th May 2024, I will be running the half marathon in Sierra Leone, West Africa, with my parents to raise money for Street Child."

1) What is the Sierra Leone marathon?

"The Sierra Leone marathon is an annual run in west Africa to raise money for the charity Street Child. It takes place in the country the charity first supported 15 years ago!"

2) Why are you taking part in the half marathon?

"Ever since I heard of this event I had wanted to go! Raising money for Street Child is something my parents have done lots of in the past; this is an amazing opportunity for me to do just that! In Sierra Leone you not only gain an understanding of how much your support means to the people who need it but gain an understanding of where it all started and why this event has proved to help so many people!"

3) How have you been preparing for the event?

"The Norfolk countryside allowed me to increase my stamina and push me to run the best I can. Every weekend me and my parents run 10km, building our capability bit by bit to reach the 20km mark of a half marathon!"

4) What would you like to get out of the half-marathon?

"This opportunity is one for me to not take for granted. Seeing first hand the poverty of west Africa will give me more of an understanding of why this run is so important and how much of a difference one charity can make. It will also be a great motivation for the upcoming race to do the best I can."

5) Have you ever done anything like this before?

"Not really, the furthest I have run is 14km so far and that is without 30 degree heat on my back! This no doubt will be a challenge but will be a great milestone when reached."

6) What are you most excited for?

"Despite the run itself, I’m looking forward to seeing the diverse culture of Sierra Leone and how they live their lives in the extreme conditions of every day life."

7) Is there anything about the event that you’re nervous about?

"So far I’m feeling feeling positive about it! If anything I’m more excited about it than nervous!"

8) What is Street Child?

"Street Child is one of the fastest growing children charities that helps kids around the world in some of the most tough and hard to reach places. Recently, it has focused on emergency situations such as the Turkey and Syria earthquake and the war in Ukraine."

9) How can we, as a community, support you?

"By clicking on the link below, you can help fundraise for my upcoming run with my parents! All the money will go directly to Street Child and its causes. Thank you for reading!"

Click here!