{"id":12810,"date":"2016-03-01T10:02:17","date_gmt":"2016-03-01T10:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theasiantoday.com\/?p=12810"},"modified":"2016-03-01T10:02:17","modified_gmt":"2016-03-01T10:02:17","slug":"charity-runners-raise-over-43k-for-refugees-by-taking-on-coventrys-half-marathon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiantoday.com\/index.php\/2016\/03\/01\/charity-runners-raise-over-43k-for-refugees-by-taking-on-coventrys-half-marathon\/","title":{"rendered":"Charity Runners Raise Over \u00a343k for Refugees by taking on Coventry\u2019s Half Marathon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Penny Appeal team, including The Apprentice stars, hit the streets to support people fleeing conflict.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A team of 75 runners from international humanitarian charity Penny Appeal hit the streets of Coventry this weekend, pounding the pavements for over 13 miles to raise money to support refugees.<\/p>\n

\"12747464_10153975883543739_7990374525207816822_o\"<\/a>They took part in Coventry\u2019s Half Marathon and far exceeded their fundraising targets, bringing in a massive \u00a343,255.01 towards Penny Appeal\u2019s Refugee Emergency campaign. The money will go on to provide vital aid to those fleeing conflict, with the charity\u2019s teams on the ground in places like Lebanon, Syria and Greece, delivering things such as nutritious food, warm clothes and hygiene kits.<\/p>\n

Among the fundraising runners were Mergim Butaja and David Stevenson, former contestants on BBC\u2019s The Apprentice.<\/p>\n

Mergim, whose family fled from war-torn Kosovo when he was just seven years old, said the challenge was a way of showing solidarity with those in desperate need.\"12801095_10153975883268739_7055556585656319494_n\"<\/a><\/p>\n

He\u00a0said: \u201cDespite the setbacks during training and a few muscular pains at the start I was determined to finish the race. Jog, sprint, walk, hop, roll or crawl \u2013 I was going to finish! <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing that got me through was the positive mental mindset, which is so crucial in all aspects of life. Penny Appeal is a charity so close to my heart, and to raise money to help refugees, whose struggles I know for myself, was an honour.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Haroon Mota, Midlands Fundraising Manager for Penny Appeal, added: “Signing up is one thing but to commit to fundraising and training through the winter, then turning up on race day, takes a huge amount of courage and determination. I\u2019m so proud of everyone!\u201d<\/p>\n

Quotes from some of the other #TeamOrange runners:<\/p>\n