Mothers Fun Run aerobics initiative raises over K600 000
Nation Publications Limited (NPL), through its Mother’s Fun Run (MFR) initiative, raised K638 000 from an aerobic exercise held at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday.
The exercise, which started from 6am to 10am and was organised by NPL in corroboration with Fitness Brigade to raise funds for the initiative, drew 300 participants.
In an interview after the aerobics, NPL marketing officer Vanessa Mabviko expressed gratitude for the support towards the annual event which will this year benefit Likoma and Ntcheu district hospitals.
She said NPL is impressed with the amount collected despite missing its K1 million target.
Said Mabviko: “We were very encouraged by the turnout, though we expected more but, we are still grateful to all those that came. It just shows us that people are truly willing to make a difference for mothers in Ntcheu and Likoma.”
She said plans are underway to have a similar aerobic fundraiser in Lilongwe.
One of the trainers, Caroline Magola, said aerobics is crucial to human health.
She commended NPL for the MFR initiative, saying it is helping in reducing maternal deaths.
In a separate interview, one of the participants Ishmael Makawa, who travelled from Lilongwe, to attend the aerobics also commended NPL for the initiative which he asaid has helped reduce maternal health problems.
He said: “I thought it was important to attend, considering the mothers who are dying due to maternal health problems, especially in rural hospitals.
“My mum told me how she suffered when she was carrying me in her womb and I thought of attending and dedicating this to my mum”.
On her part, Times Group journalist Serah Makondetsa, who also took part in aerobics, said fitness is essential to everyone’s life.
Said Makondetsa: “ With time what I have learnt is that when you are physically fit you are not only perfecting the outward look but you’re reducing the risk of various non-communicable diseases.”
