Ekleba Obeng-Sackey
Ekleba @ the London Marathon 2023 Fundraising for the Outrunners Youth
Fundraising for The Outrunners Charity
Story
Just 6 months after I ran my first ever marathon, the London Marathon 2022, against my own advice to myself at mile 22 (never to do this again!), I am again, planning to run my next marathon, the London Marathon 2023 on 23 April 2023.
This time, I am running to raise money for Outrunners Youth, a charity on a mission to create a healthy, connected East London where all young people are included and no one is left behind.
As someone who enjoyed solo running, being part of the Outrunners London Marathon Academy and meeting them has introduced to me the joys and benefits of having a community to run with. Additionally, the work the Outrunners do is not just about getting the youth and community fit and moving, but also mentoring and career programmes for young people in the community.
Read more below and please give what you can to support the mission. Thanks in advance!
MORE ABOUT THE OUTRUNNERS
Watch here
Website
What do we do?
We started as a running club for adults but quickly realised our crew could do so much more for the local area. We set up our charity to maximise our impact and focus the collective energy that’s created when people come together to have fun and get fit. We have three programmes that help us do that: Outrunners Youth, Run Your Career and Mentoring. In the past year, we’ve worked with over 600 young people through our various programmes.
Why do we do it?
Young people in Hackney have incredible talent, creativity and energy but so many miss out on the opportunities they need to unleash that potential. Despite the great diversity and openness of our communities, structural disadvantage still exists. As a result, they don’t get a chance to use their talent and skills in positive ways and we all miss out on the great energy and creativity they could bring to the area - and what we would all gain from being a more connected place.
PROGRAMMES
Outrunners Youth
We run free, fun weekly running and fitness clubs for young people can take part in regular exercise including sports bras, trainers and general sportswear. Outrunners Youth also works with families helping them come together and have fun with their children at community events and races, like the our Fun Run, the Hackney Half and the Big Mile.
Run Your Career
We’ve also built Run Your Career, a programme that creates opportunities for young people with top international brands and Hackney businesses. Run Your Career events offer accessible networking and information on career opportunities, while our Sprint and Coaching programmes provide work experience and practical skills opportunities with established businesses and professionals to help young people progress into the career they want.
Mentoring
We also provide one-to-one mentoring, matching a young person with an Outrunners mentor whom they meet weekly. Their mentorship is an opportunity for them to increase physical activity, build resilience and self-esteem and prepare them for the transition from primary to secondary school.
Mentors help to build their confidence, raise their aspirations and support them with any issues, with a focus on helping them to achieve their potential in the long term, mentors and mentees agree on goals and review them regularly.