Sunday 23rd February was an historic day for Mallow as the Young Social Innovators class at St. Mary’s Secondary School, hosted Mallow’s first ever Colour Run. The event was organised to raise awareness for the anti-trafficking campaign S.T.O.P (Stop Trafficking of People).

Over 300 runners, spectators and helpers were involved. Dave O’Regan from Cork’s RedFM visited in the RedFM patroller. This caused great excitement and really added to the electric atmosphere around the school at the finish line. The Young Social Innovators class are donating the proceeds of the event, €1000, to the organisation APT (Act to Prevent Trafficking).

APT is a faith-based group working against Trafficking in Persons (TIP). The members of APT are people belonging to religious congregations or missionary societies which are part of the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) and/or the Irish Missionary Union (IMU). APT members first met in December 2005. Concerned about the growing reality of the worldwide trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation, they wanted to explore ways of working together to prevent this evil. APT seeks ways to protect the rights of victims of trafficking. It works with other groups to address the issue of demand for purchased sex, which fuels the trade in human trafficking. The organisation prays and encourages others to pray for those trafficked, for traffickers and for an end to this great violation of human rights.

The girls of St. Mary’s really appreciated the cross-community support for their Colour Run. The Red Cross provided their services free of charge. An Garda Síochána ensured the runners were safely escorted around the 5km course. They also provided assistance with the S.T.O.P campaign’s Red Day held on 17th October. Mallow Athletics Club shared their expertise through helping with the organisation of the event and also helping with traffic control on the day while the Mallow ladies football team skipped a training session to participate in the Colour Run. It was a real experience of “better together”. The event was such an outstanding success and a memorable experience for all the participants and organisers that it may become an annual explosion of colour on the streets of Mallow.

Whoever thought that exercise could be so much fun!!!!

Brid Biggane rsm
Southern Province