From Chapel Hill to Malawi: Volunteers help overseas hospital through virtual road race

This year, however, their fundraising efforts were interrupted by COVID-19, threatening resources for the hospital in Malawi, which has come to rely on financial support from Orange County, North Carolina.

Last year, over 100 members of the Chapel Hill community gathered together for a run to benefit sick children in Malawi. Racers raised over $35,000.

“The run that we had last year raised enough money to start this pediatrics lab at Kamuzu Central Hospital. It opened in November, and we were able to hire a total of eight employees while we were living in Malawi," Fitzgerald said.

This hospital has come to rely on the charity work done in Orange County. Race director, Jeff Nieman, wanted to make sure no one gets left behind.

However, social distancing guidelines made traditional fundraising impossible this year. Supporters had to get creative if they wanted to help address these critical needs.

“We thought, well, people still want to get out and get exercise and we still want to do something to support this charity, so we came up with the idea to make it a virtual run," said Nieman.

“However, you do it. You finish, you enter your results, it’s uploaded there. We encourage people to post pictures," said Nieman.

Once registered, the racer is given a link to share with friends and family who may also be interested in donating to the Malawi Children’s Initiative.

A Chapel Hill 10-year-old, Christopher McEntee has already raised $1,300 so far. He said he’s excited to use the virtual platform.

“I won’t be confined to the one mile course they had last year. I’ll be able to go to other places like the Tobacco Trail," he said.

Fitzgerald said that now more than ever, it’s important to maintain our ties to the rest of the world.

"When facing a global pandemic, its clear to see how small our world truly is and the need to support one another," she added.

The online race begins Friday, May 8 and concludes Sunday, May 10.