PADDINGTON ACADEMY STUDENTS AND PARENTS RUN 5K FOR CHARITY

In total, 27 runners took part in Sunday’s event. The participants assembled at 10am for the run and despite the temperature of 6°, everyone successfully completed the 5 kilometre distance.

The event was organised by students from the academy on Maryland’s Road, who were inspired to take action after listening to an assembly on Uganda.  The money raised will help pay for two “Pay-It-Forward” scholarships, which will each fund three years of secondary education.  One of the Ugandan girls receiving the scholarships, Evalyne, has already written to the students to thank them for their support.

The academy students hope to continue their fundraising activities by starting a three-way partnership between Paddington Academy, a secondary school in Uganda and another school in Calgary, Canada.

Osama Darwish of Paddington Academy, said:

“The students have worked very hard to help such an important cause – and all through their own initiative. They showed an incredible empathy with the young girls that they’re helping and they then had the determination to get up and make a change – for that, I’m extremely proud of them. Everyone who braved the cold and ran today, and everyone who helped organise the event, deserves our congratulations.”

Marwa, one of the students participating in Sunday’s event, said ‘’It was really fun doing the run. Our muscles ached the next day but it was worth it! It feels nice knowing that you’re doing something for somebody who is struggling to have what we have.’’
 Zohra, another participant, said ‘’We’re really pleased with the amount that we raised today and we hope that we’ll be able to keep in touch with the school in Uganda and see the legacy of our hard work!”