Marshall and Peaty complete #Zambia5050 challenge

Last week Mel Marshall and her team took on 50 hours of sport over five days to raise money to bring sport to young Zambians.

The team of 12 took on 10 hours of sport each day from the 16-20 August. They have a target of £50,000 to be used, in part, to create a residential sports training facility for young people in Zambia.

All of the money raised will go towards projects funded by the Perfect Day Foundation. These projects enhance the lives of young Zambians through sport.

Marshall had help from Olympic Champion and double world record holder Adam Peaty and 10 other British sporting athletes. The full list comprised of Anna Zair, Rob Day, James Lovatt, Ryan Lovatt, Abbie Clayton, Abbie Hymas, Katrina Gilbert, Mel Berry, Chris Tidy and Mollie Pearse.

They were joined by hundreds of Zambians over the course of the five days. They competed in netball, basketball, football, triathlon and volleyball. The events took place in Lusaka and the surrounding communities.

Marshall has been raising money and volunteering in Zambia for a number of years. Before heading out for the #Zambia5050 challenge, she said: “On my previous visits to Zambia I have seen how valuable sport can be in enhancing the quality of life of young people who have next to nothing.

“I promised myself to return every Olympic cycle so they can enjoy sport and learn valuable life skills. Every donation makes such a big difference to the lives of these young people.”

• Click here to follow their journey and find out more about the project.

12 years of Volunteer Zambia

This fundraising campaign coincided with the 12th year of the ‘Volunteer Zambia’ project. The project sends dozens of students from the Wallace Group universities each year.

The students that volunteer in Zambia help to deliver coaching sessions, build new sporting facilities and undertake sports development programmes.

#Zambia5050 received support from British Sport NGBs as well as the Wallace Group and the Perfect Day Foundation.

Image courtesy of the Wallace Group Facebook page.