Shoe4Africa to help feed Turkana poor
An elated Kimoi Kigen displays running shoes she got after participating in the 6th Edition of Shoe4Afria 5km women's road race in Iten on December 24, 2010. Rose Kosgei won the race clocking 16:34, Alice Timbilil came second timed at 16:39 while Chepchirchir Cheruiyot finished third clocking 16:59. PHOTO / JARED NYATAYA
After organising the annual Shoe4Africa women’s road race in Iten last Friday, Toby Tanser, founder of the sports charity Shoe4Africa, leads his team to Turkana on another charity mission on Tuesday.
The team will hand out food and other supplies to underprivileged families in Turkana.
On Monday, Tanser also said plans are underway for Shoe4Africa to be part of the official opening of the Martin Lel School that they helped marathon great Martin Lel build.
Former world cross-country junior champion Rose Kosgei and 2010 Amsterdam Marathon winner Alice Timbilil dominated last Friday’s Shoe4Africa five-kilometre race in Iten.
Rolling up their sleeves
They were joined on the sidelines by several of Kenya’s women’s world champions and medallists including Janet Jepkosgei, Florence Kiplagat, Edna Kiplagat, Viola Kibiwott, Peninah Arusei and Sylvia Kibet.
“It’s great to see all these great Kenyan names rolling up their sleeves and offering to help,” Tanser said on Monday.
“It’s good they realise that they need to give something back to society.
“The Shoe4Africa race is about giving back to the community and I’m happy to see all these stars supporting the cause.”
The Shoe4Africa charity is currently raising funds to build a children’s hospital in Eldoret.
So far, Tanser has raised one million US dollars (about Sh80 million) towards the hospital project.
Shoe4Africa collects used and new shoes from all over the world to give to needy people in Africa.
After Friday’s race, Tanser gave out 301 shoes to finishers of the race.
