Belfast Marathon Fundraiser for SWOT

Hello everyone!

This year almost 150 medical students from Queen’s University Belfast are running either the full Belfast marathon or marathon relay to raise money for a SWOT. SWOT is a medical student-led charity which stands for ‘Students Working Overseas Trust’. QUB students organise various events every year; including the iconic SWOT fashion show, blood pressure clinics, bake sales, textbook sales and sporting events. The money raised is taken directly to hospitals in low-income countries by 4th year students on their summer elective. This July, 4th years are going to various countries including Malawi, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and many more. The 4th year students undertake 4-5 week clinical attachments in urban and rural hospitals where they identify areas of need, and appropriately direct SWOT funds to where they are required most, essentially cutting out the ‘middle man’. Last year, students were able to provide hospitals with equipment such as ECG machines, stethoscopes and oxygen cylinders, sanitation and hygiene products and pharmacy supplies. With a record breaking number of students taking part in the marathon, we aim to provide even more this year.

We would all appreciate any donation, big or small to SWOT. A special shout out to our 8 students who are attempting to run the full marathon; final year student; Rhiannon Coulter, 4th year students; Claire Whiteside, Roma Bannon, Sarah McCandless, Michael Wilson and Zoé Desblancs, 3rd year student Niall Sabour and 2nd year student Caleb Connolly. These students have been training for months, alongside studying for exams and attending university classes and placement.

We would all also really appreciate any support and encouragement to keep going on the day!! You will spot us in our personalised SWOT tops.

Thank you so much,

The SWOT marathon team :)

For more info regarding SWOT, check out our instagram @swotqub and the following link: https://linktr.ee/qubswot?fbclid=PAAaZdpYSkxVUSztfPxZyp0PqgnO-eMVG0ODTNuhaLPCGG32CiXKJ