A spring of Change

The Berlin half marathon running crew

On May 10th, eight runners crossed the finish line in Copenhagen, wrapping up an impactful and energetic spring marathon season for us. Across Berlin, Paris, London, and Copenhagen, 57 runners collectively raised €41,489, funding solar installations and medical supplies for health facilities in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Syria, and Angola.
Through our partner network of local organisations and private sector suppliers, Aid Pioneers is able to procure at significantly reduced costs, so the funds raised through Marathons for Change consistently translate into a much higher value and impact on the ground.

While some runners were first-timers, others returning faces, but between them their dedication built a fundraising total that will translate directly into life-saving care for underserved communities.

A special shout out to Andy Zingler, who ran the Athens Marathon with us in 2024 This time around, he raised an incredible €15.358 for medical supplies to Ukraine in just four days! A sum large enough to almost fully fund its own container, meaning it is the most striking individual fundraising effort we have seen in our marathon programme, and we are genuinely grateful for what he put into it.

This season we were also joined by three runners through our partnership with Top4Running, who also supported with running shirts for all runners.

Thank you to every runner who trained through the winter and got their community behind them. We will share updates as the shipments move and the solar systems go live. If you want to run with us in the autumn, you can sign up here.

For a second year in a row, Rixa ran the Berlin Half Marathon with us, continuing her support for Ukrainian hospitals.

Mandy and Ying Shin chose to run in support of Aid Pioneers as an organisation, meaning the funds raised can be allocated where the need is greatest. For their campaign, every euro will go to our next shipment to Ethiopia.

Go! Go! Go!

Juni keeping energy high!

Julian, our Managing Director, returned to the Berlin Half Marathon for the second consecutive year, while Marathon Coordinator Lilly and Sara rose to the challenge of their first ever marathon in Copenhagen.

Felicie and Katherina took on the London Landmark Half Marathon in support of our solar projects.

Spirits are high before the Copenhagen marathon

42 kilometers later all runners made it through - Congrats!