Kiln Sierra Leone Marathon

More than 500 amateur athletes are set to run in the first official marathon to take place in Makeni, Sierra Leone on 9 June 2012, in a bid to raise money for vulnerable street children across the country.

The Kiln Sierra Leone Marathon, led by British charity Street Child of Sierra Leone (SCoSL), is the flagship event of the charity’s Golden Jubilee Appeal bid to raise a million pounds to help the country’s children off the streets and into education. The Marathon is seeking 250 keen runners to compete alongside locals in Makeni to help raise £250,000 towards that target.

Charles Franks, chief executive of Kiln Group, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for Kiln to play its own small part in supporting Sierra Leone on its road to prosperity, as the country celebrates 50 years of independence. Sharing the same anniversary - Kiln celebrates its own 50th anniversary in business next year - we are determined to run and raise as much as we can, and engage the support of the insurance market for this important cause."

The money raised by the Marathon will go towards building and supporting 50 schools in rural villages, reuniting 500 boys and 500 girls with families, and helping 5,000 children through education in Sierra Leone, as part of SCoSL’s Golden Jubilee Appeal to mark Sierra Leone’s 50 years of independence.

Please watch our videos available on the right. In the first Charles Franks talks about why Kiln is sponsoring the marathon. In the second Street Child of Sierra Leone founder Tom Dannatt explains how important and thrilled SCoSL are to have Kiln as title sponsors. Finally, the third film showcases the work SCoSL has carried out since its formation in 2008.

Read updates from our Kiln staff bloggers www.kilnsierraleonemarathon.com/media-centre/blog/

Please visit the marathon microsite www.kilnsierraleonemarathon.com