Schools, businesses and a host of volunteers will be lacing up at the Appleby Bermuda Half Marathon Derby on Monday as part of a fundraising campaign for the Mirrors Programme.

Dellwood Middle School and The Berkeley Institute students, BF&M employees, Victor Scott Primary School teachers and volunteers past and present have signed on to participate in the race in support of the Take a Stand for our Youth campaign, which hopes to raise $600,000 for the programme, and to support school activities.

They will be joined by Mirrors Programme Coordinator Kimberly Jackson who — despite not being a runner — will be tackling the race in an effort to raise both funds and awareness for the programme.

The Mirror Alumni and Friends Association hoped to raise the funds by having 5,000 people show their support. each contributing $120.

And on June 18, the Association will be hosting a tag day in order to support the campaign.

A spokeswoman said yesterday: “Mirrors Alumni and Friends wish to express our wholehearted thanks to those who have already contributed to the campaign and look forward to the donations to come as we demonstrate to the youth in our community that they are important, they have a voice and they are valuable.”

Those interested in contributing can made deliver cheques or cash to the Mirrors Programme office in Global House at 43 Church Street, Hamilton, or make a direct deposit to Mirrors Alumni & Friends Association Butterfield Bank A/C #0600041690017.