Peter runs marathon in aid of poor in Philippines

Peter runs marathon in aid of poor in Philippines

22 July 2020

A LOCAL student has run a marathon to raise money for a Northern Irish charity which supports poor families in the Philippines.

Like many other charities, Ten Foundations has struggled to raise funds during the Coronavirus crisis.

Twenty year-old Peter Gilmore, from Whiterock, near Killinchy, had planned to run the Belfast Marathon in May in aid of the charity.

When it was postponed and then cancelled, Peter decided he had to do something anyway, so he recently ran his own solo marathon.  His effort has so far raised over £3,000.

Setting out from the Ten Foundations shop on the Lisburn Road in Belfast, Peter ran a route to his home which turned out to be slightly over the official marathon distance.

Conditions were challenging, with fierce wind and rain at times but Peter enjoyed great support along the way from family and friends.

“Ten Foundations means the world to me,” he said. “Seeing the difference this charity makes to impoverished families in the Philippines is inspiring and that’s what drove me to do this run.”  

Ten Foundations trains and enables women in the Philippines to makes schoolbags and backpacks which are sold by volunteers in Northern Ireland.

Ian Campbell, founder of Ten Foundations, said: “The last few months have been very difficult.  Normally at this time of year we would be visiting lots of schools, telling them about what we do and selling our bags.

“We are delighted to have reopened our Lisburn Road shop recently and we are also selling more online than before. 

“But now, more than ever, we really appreciate the generosity of donations and fundraising activities like this.”

Peter added “If you want to support Ten Foundations and the work that they do, next 

time you are buying a bag, why not buy one that can change a life?”

For more information about Ten Foundations go to www.tenfoundations.org.