Mary Peters Trust, Northern Ireland’s leading sporting charity, has launched a ‘Trainers for the Trust’ initiative in its continued race to raise £1 million ahead of Dame Mary Peters’ 80th birthday next year.

The fundraising campaign, entitled ‘Mary’s Race to a Million’, is a direct investment in the future of sport in Northern Ireland, and will enable the Mary Peters Trust to continue to financially support future generations of sporting talent.

‘Trainers for the Trust’, which is sponsored by local porridge and oat cereal brand White’s Oats, is a play on the traditional non-uniform day in which pupils wear their trainers to school for a small donation of £1 or more to the Trust.

Dame Mary Peters CH, DBE said:

“For more than 40 years, the Trust has played a huge supporting role in the lives of thousands of young sportsmen and women, both able bodied and disabled, from across Northern Ireland helping them to realise their sporting dreams by providing financial awards.

“Our ‘Race to a Million’ campaign was launched two years ago with the purpose of ensuring that the charity can continue to offer its support for years to come. The ‘Trainers for the Trust’ initiative is one of many stepping stones on our way to achieving this.

“With the help of the public and many local businesses, we have already raised two thirds of our £1 million target, which is just incredible and I must say a huge thank you to everyone involved – your support is much appreciated.”

Danielle McBride, Brand Manager at White’s Oats, said:

“We are delighted to sponsor the Mary Peters Trust ‘Trainers for the Trust’ initiative.

‘’We want to encourage all schools taking part to hold a fitness day on the day on which they are hosting their ‘Trainers for the Trust’ event, to really get into the spirit of what embodies the Mary Peters Trust.

“White’s actively supports healthy lifestyles with its range of porridge oats, granolas and mueslis. We believe that a healthy lifestyle equals a healthy mind, and this starts with the food that we eat, to the amount of exercise we do.

Mary added:

“‘Trainers for the Trust’ is a great opportunity to not only encourage a healthy lifestyle and raise some money for a great cause, but also to have some fun.”

Schools that enter by World Porridge Day on 10th October will be entered into a draw to win a school visit from Dame Mary Peters and will also be in with the chance of winning a White’s Oats Luxury Hamper.