$4,200 for 42km, a Small Challenge in Comparison

In 2020, during lockdown, I started running to pass the time, thinking it would be temporary until I could swim again. I didn’t set any future goals, so I abandoned the sport once lockdown ended. Later, in my final year of university, I committed to completing a half marathon. Now, slightly addicted to running, I’m preparing for my first full marathon in Hawke’s Bay on May 17.

Reflecting on what matters to me, the Cambodian Charitable Trust (CCT) has always been a cause very close to my heart, and a primary foundation in making me who I am. For my marathon, I needed a strong "why" to push through the pain, as doing it for myself wasn’t enough. Mum introduced me to CCT when I was 8, and I’ve since taken on many roles and doing this reaffirmed how lucky I am that education is not a 'rare privilege' in Aotearoa.

The story of Cambodia is heartbreaking. Many children walk miles to school, and others miss out on education altogether, often being forced into factory work or being pushed into sex slavery. CCT works tirelessly to transform lives through education, and I want to fundraise to get more children into a classroom so they have the foundations to change their lives.

My goal is to raise $4,200 for Nikrotheaream, a Cambodian school with no sponsorship, through my marathon. All donations will go to providing children with the chance to step into a classroom and change their futures. Every dollar counts, and together, we can make a real difference in their lives.