Playing a game called “Makaroo”, a boy sits amidst a circle of chairs around which other boys are running, at the “Bana Ba Keletso” drop-in centre for orphaned children in the village of Molepolole, some 50 km west of Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.
UNICEF/ HQ04-0604/Giacomo Pirozzi

Every year, our Marathon runners raise funds for UNICEF’s main campaign. This year, runners are raising funds for the global UNICEF campaign, Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS.

Around the world a child is orphaned by AIDS every 15 seconds. They then face a daily struggle for basic necessities such as food and health care. Many have no option but to leave school and start working, often in terrible conditions.

UNICEF helps children orphaned by AIDS gain access to health care and also provides funds to enable them to carry on their education. We train people in their communities to protect vulnerable children from losing their homes or being forced to work. Many children, if unprotected, can end up being exploited by employers or even resort to prostitution to support themselves and their siblings.

By raising funds for this campaign, runners will be helping UNICEF raise awareness about this issue, not only amongst the general public, but also with governments.

Most importantly though, runners will be helping the children themselves: children often as young as six years old, who are already taking on adult duties, such as caring for siblings, cooking and cleaning the house. Their own development, education and even their lives can be lost.

As a UNICEF runner, you will get a support pack with fundraising ideas, training tips and also detailed information on the Children and AIDS campaign, to help you raise awareness and obtain even more sponsorship for this urgent cause.

The UNICEF Gold Bond application process will open from August and places will be allocated from December onwards. To apply for a Golden Bond place, or register your interest in becoming an own place runner, please call 0870 606 3377 or email marathon@unicef.org.uk with your full postal address so that we can send you the application pack. Demand for places is high, so please take time to fill in the application form as places are awarded on the merit of this form.