Students take on Butterfield Half challenge to raise money for children's charities in Kenya

A group of students from Elizabeth College will use the Butterfield Half as the platform to raise money for two charities working to help children in Kenya.

Every year Year 13 students from the school get the opportunity to travel to the country where they embark on projects to support the Turi community.

Ahead of that Eleanor, Charlie, Gil, Ben and Cameron will run the half on Sunday 14 September to raise additional funds for Matumaini and TCP, local children’s charities in the area of Turi.

While Eleanor is well known down at Guernsey Athletics for her running, the rest of the group have been described as “5k warriors”.

But they have all been putting in some miles ahead of race day.

Gil is more used to playing football, but is catching the running bug, with the added motivation of raising money for the charities.

“We're having ideas about how we can show off our brand during the run, how we can represent Kenya. Maybe a flag around the shoulders or something like that, just to show everyone what we're doing,” said Gil.

Having a group all taking on the challenge has helped.

“We've got our group chat, and we're constantly talking about it, thinking of different ways to raise money,” said Eleanor.

“We're excited to do it and we're excited just to make as much money as we can to give to the charities.”

The Kenya trip is seen as a great opportunity.

“We've gone through the school system, and seeing these trips around and thought, ‘I've got to get on that’,” said Gil.

“You can do so much to help out. I think if, if we're not raising money for these charities, then, to be honest, we’re not doing it justice.”

Eleanor added: “We've got so much over here, why would we not try to share that with people that just don't have as much? And actually going over there's also going to be an experience for us.”

Matumaini is the Swahili word for hope.

“That kind of epitomises everything Matumaini does to be honest,” said Gil.

“Mainly it provides care for disabled and disadvantaged children through physical and emotional assistance. Basically in Kenya, there's a social stigma against disability, so Matumaini provides a safe space to grow. 

“And we've set a goal of £3,000 and we've been told that number will help to train up a physio for these kids, which would be absolutely amazing for them, because they've gone through so much.”

The Turi Children’s Project is their other chosen charity.

“That works with the school that we're going to and it was set up just to give the kids somewhere to go, so they have a football pitch and things like that, just so the children can have a bit of time to do things,” said Eleanor.

“They're providing hot meals and activities,  so obviously all of that costs money, so we're trying to raise money to help them so they can continue that as much as possible.”

While the idea is to “do their best” on the day, Gil also has the added incentive to beat one of his dad’s friends to bring in another £50.

Eleanor has had the added bonus of having her dad, another talented runner, to train with in the lead up to race day.

It has had a positive impact on other distances too.

“I've definitely increased my volume, a long run on a Sunday and stuff like that. I'm still doing better in my other races, I did a 1500 recently and got a massive PB in that. So I think it all just helps.”

You can donate to their fundraising here.

Entries are still open for the Butterfield Half with more details here.

If you cannot run, you can still get involved on the day through volunteering. Sign up to help marshal, handout water or assist with set up and take down here.