The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor

• News Archives
• April 2026
• March 2026
• February 2026
• January 2026
• December 2025
• November 2025
• October 2025
• September 2025
• August 2025

COGS team’s Marathon fundraiser as they prepare to serve in Uganda

Monday April 13th 2026

Runners from the Church of the Good Shepherd, Monkstown, in training for their Belfast Marathon fundraiser.

A team from the Church of the Good Shepherd (COGS) in Monkstown is travelling to Uganda from July 10-26 to serve alongside Abaana Ministries.

As part of their fundraising for a painting project they will undertake on this trip, team members are pounding the streets as they train to take part in this year’s Belfast Marathon on Sunday May 3.

The Rev Nathan Ervine on a marathon training run in the Mourne Mountains as the COGS team raises funds for Uganda.

The majority of the 12-strong team, including the rector of COGS, the Rev Nathan Ervine, will be doing the marathon relay, but one member, Emma Hanna, will be running the full marathon!

During their time in Uganda, the team members will be working with street-connected children, visiting young people living in the New Life Homes in Kampala who once lived on the streets but now have a safe home and access to education.

They will also be doing home visits with some of the children and travelling to a school in northern Uganda where the team will run kids’ clubs and help practically serve the community.

Nathan said: “Our main project will be completely repainting the inside and outside of the teachers’ accommodation block at the school. This building houses the teachers who faithfully serve the children there, and we want to bless them by restoring and refreshing the space they live in.”

A marathon effort from the COGS Uganda team.

To help raise the funds needed for the painting project, the parish has entered three teams into the Belfast Marathon relay, with Emma doing the full distance.

“It’s safe to say that some of us really don’t enjoy running, but we’re doing it because we believe in the work being done in Uganda and want to support it in a practical way,” Nathan said.

“Every pound raised through this fundraiser will go directly towards the painting project – buying the paint and materials needed to completely redecorate the teachers’ accommodation block.”

Along with Nathan and Emma, the COGS Uganda Team comprises: Alison Reynolds, Ross Reynolds, Alan Johnston, Gillian Johnston, Gary Huntley, Idongesit Weli, Will Hogsett, Katrina Todd, Maddie Todd and Pat Bradshaw.

You can support their efforts to fund the painting project at the school by visiting the team online fundraising page.

Back to latest news