Olympic Hopefuls Go the Distance for Girls in the Developing World
Irish Olympic athletes Fionnuala Britton and Claire Bergin recently joined forces with international children’s charity Plan Ireland to call on the women of Ireland to be a part of the ‘Because I am a Girl’ team and run or walk for girls in the upcoming Women's Mini Marathon.
Taking time out of their busy training schedules for the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games, athletes Fionnuala Britton and Claire Bergin have come on board to encourage the women of Ireland to take part and raise money for Plan Ireland’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign, which aims to fight gender inequality, promote girls' rights and break the cycle of poverty.
Olympic athlete Fionnuala Britton said, “This is such a great cause – I should know, I volunteered with Plan Ireland a few years ago! I know the impact that their work has. The ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign is really inspiring as it specifically focuses on supporting and empowering girls in the developing world who need our help the most. I’m delighted to play my part and I hope women around the country will join myself and Claire in supporting this fantastic campaign.”
Claire Bergin, Olympic athlete, bobsledder and child sponsor has been a long term supporter of Plan Ireland. Last year, she guest blogged for Because I am a Girl and sponsors a young girl called Beatrice in Burkina Faso with Plan Ireland. Claire added, “Because I am a girl, I believe that everyone should strive to achieve their own goals and dreams in life, no matter what obstacles are in their way. I am proud to represent women through my sporting achievements, and hope the women of Ireland will join me in representing the girls of the developing world.”
Speaking today, Jessica Majekodunmi, Marketing Manager, Plan Ireland said, “We are calling on all women: friends, daughters, sisters, nieces, aunts, mothers and grandmothers to make a difference this June Bank Holiday weekend and join our ‘Because I am a Girl’ team at this year’s Women’s Mini Marathon. By taking part in the world’s biggest women-only event, you will help to build a brighter future for some of the world’s poorest girls. Every step makes a difference.”
"We wish Fionnuala and Claire the best of luck with their Olympic bid this year and would like to thank them for supporting Plan Ireland’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign. We are also delighted to have NIVEA Ireland on board as sponsors, who are kindly providing fantastic goody bags and spreading the word. Our target for the Because I am a Girl team is 200 women, so please sign up today, get your ‘Because I am a Girl’ Mini Marathon pack, start your training and help raise funds to make the world a better place for girls and be part of something special.”
NIVEA Ireland is also encouraging women to get involved by sponsoring the Because I am a Girl goody bags, which will be filled with NIVEA treats and given exclusively to all those who sign up to run and raise funds for girls in the developing world.
Mairead Walsh, NIVEA Brand Manager commented, “We are delighted to once again partner with Plan Ireland and show our support for the ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign. NIVEA Ireland is proud to be involved in helping the women of Ireland to get fit and raise money for girls in the developing world at the same time.”
Contributions will be invested in effective projects which address and promote equality for girls.
All funds raised will go towards life changing projects for girls in the developing world. Contributions will be invested in effective projects which address and promote equality for girls. Currently Plan’s work with girls includes: education projects including establishing girl-friendly schools, maternal and reproductive health projects, protecting girls and women against trafficking and child labour, empowering women to achieve financial stability through savings and loan schemes, and tackling early and forced marriage and sexual exploitation of girls and young women.
To sign up and help change a girl’s life in the developing world, firstly submit the official form and fee to Flora Women’s Mini Marathon and visit www.plan.ie or call freefone 1800 829 829 to sign up for your exclusive NIVEA ‘Because I am a Girl’ mini marathon fundraising pack.
