Twin sisters have organised a fun run/walk around Hamilton’s Lake Rotoroa in the hope of raising $10,000 for Zimbabwe’s rural school libraries.

Shefali and Shivani Sinha, 13, came up with the idea for the event and then met with supporters last October to plan the event that will raise money for the Zimbabwe Rural Schools Library Trust.

The trust mobilises resources to enable school children to access reading material.

The St Peters School students brought in other children interested in helping.

Together they decided to invite Hamilton mayor Andrew King to be the guest of honour at the event on February 25, which coincides with International Book Giving Day. The mayor accepted the invitation and said he would participate in the run itself.

“We are excited mayor King has proved he is child-friendly by accepting our invitation,” said Shefali.

Shivani commended fellow organisers Arlo Oliver, Eva-May Oliver and Ropafadzo Kunaka who have joined her and her sister in preparing for this year’s event.

“Teamwork is always important. Shifeli and I did not initiate this project for personal glory, and we want as many children as possible involved in the planning and execution of the project to ensure that we change the lives of children in another part of the world.

“The more hands are involved, the bigger the results that can be achieved,” said Shivani.

Two fun runs have previously been held and the proceeds have contributed towards buying books for a Zimbabwean school, shipment of books to Zimbabwe and the recording of a song for an international music album with songs about reading and libraries.

The album is expected to be released this year.