Band on the run
Eilish’s amazing race boosts Kenya kids
Eilish McColgan will carry the hopes of poor kids in Kenya when she runs in the 5000 metres world final tonight.
Every time the 26-year- old takes to the track, she proudly wears the wristband of a charity who help youngsters in the country where Britain’s stars do their altitude training.
Eilish thrilled her fans by knocking five seconds off her personal best to win a place in the final in London alongside fellow Scot Laura Muir.
And the charity’s founder Myles Edwards said: “Her success has been amazing for us. The bracelets have been massive fundraisers.
“With every one sold, we can pay the tuition fee for a primary school child in Kenya for a year. And when people like Eilish and Mo Farah wear them, it makes a big difference to a small charity like us.”
Scottish 1500m champion Myles set up the Gathimba Edwards Foundation with Kenyan athlete Gideon Gat him baaft er meeting him at a race in 2009.
He said: “We aim to help with the basics such as food, education and shelter to get chi ldren a start in life.”
The charity’s bracelets combine the Scottish and Kenyan f lags. Myles said: “Ei l ish has worn one for some time and it’s real ly
appreciated by us.”us.