A MENSTRIE mum pounded the streets and roads of Stirling at the weekend as part of the village’s ongoing efforts to feed poor children in Africa.
Local Lisa Ford laced up to run the Stirling Half Marathon on Sunday to help raise funds for the Menstrie Mums for Malawi Mums group, who are hoping to feed a whole school for a full year through charity Mary’s Meals – as reported by the Advertiser in December when Caroline Steele and husband Ben kickstarted the initiative.
The final few miles “were hard going” according to Lisa, whose children Jasmine and Ben, both Menstrie Primary pupils, also got involved by running the family mile to make it a family affair to secure extra sponsorship.
A friend of Menstrie Mums fundraising leader Caroline, Lisa and her family had been donating to the good cause in previous years but have now taken it to the next level by getting involved with the group.
And, according to Lisa, it is not just about making sure the 1,1141 children at Lupaso Primary School are fed.
She explained to the Advertiser: “Mary’s Meals is a brilliant cause because the money reaches those who need it directly.
“They help local communities by buying the food for the kids from local suppliers, they employ local people and get local volunteers to cook the food.
“The difference that it makes to the children who would otherwise have no meal that day means that they can concentrate in the classroom and as a result do better in school.
“Parents are more likely to send their children to the school as they know they will be getting fed and the result is a better overall chance for those children to do something to pull themselves out of poverty.
“Having children of my own has made me so aware of how lucky my kids are and how important the basic needs of food, shelter and education are.”
And while she was feeling a bit achy the next day, the idea managed to raise some much-needed funds – adding to the running total of more than £5,000.
Daughter Jasmine gave her a boost near the finish with Lisa laughing: “I couldn’t stop running in front of my nine-year-old daughter!”
The final target for the group is £15,860 by the end of the year – find the Menstrie Mums for Malawi Mums Facebook page to donate.