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| Wellington Students Fight Poverty with their Feet |
Wellington Students Fight Poverty with their Feet
This Friday, Wellington College students will commence their annual 40 Hour Runathon, to raise money for children overseas who are living in poverty.
For the past 13 years, Wellington College has shown that you don't have to give up food to help World Vision's fight against poverty.
Whilst many children and students across the country take part in the annual World Vision 40 Hour Famine - eating only glucose sweets and fluids to simulate what life is like for children who don't have enough food - the boys decided that there must be a more practical way for athletic students with busy schedules to do their bit for those in developing countries.
Hence, in 1998, the first ever Wellington College World Vision Runathon took place and, since then, has gone on to generate in excess of half a million dollars for World Vision. In 2009, the event secured Wellington College the title of the highest earning school in the country with a grand total of $61,341 raised. And as if that wasn't enough, 2010's edition of the Runathon is quickly shaping up to be bigger, better and more exciting than ever before.
To raise money, students run laps of the school grounds through the night, and asked donors to sponsor them for every lap they completed. The school is split into nine teams, each sponsored by a local business - which inspires strong competition to see which team can raise the most money.
World Vision's Central NZ Business Manager, David Moger says, "I am inspired by the way that Wellington College has embraced the 40 Hour Famine. Not only have they raised such an amazing amount of money that has transformed lives, they have also developed the real concept of global citizenship with values that will last."
This year is the third of a five year project toward helping the people of Ibwera, Tanzania.
The Runathon itself takes on the 12th to the 13th of March, beginning at 6am on Friday the 12th and finishing at 10pm on Saturday the 13th. The local business that have helped by sponsoring the 2010 event include McDonald's, Redvespa, Kelly Sports, Green Acres, Village Goldsmith, Ballentynes, Partridge Jewellers, Bayleys and Little School.
Key details:
Date/Time: 6am on Friday 12th - 10pm on Saturday 13th March
Location: Wellington College grounds
For photos, interviews or further information contact:
World Vision communications, Kelly Zander on 021 541 992 or Kelly.zander@worldvision.org.nz
World Vision Wellington Schools Rep, Michelle White on 021 609 665, or
michelle.white@worldvision.org.nz
Wellington College, Staff Liaison; Ben Lau on 021 423 652, 04 802 2529 or
b.lau@wellington-college.school.nz
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