Posted: 01/05/13
Principal Asha’s double 10k challenge
An education chief is going feet first – all in the name of charity and raising young people’s aspirations.
Asha Khemka OBE, principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College, is taking part in the Wollaton Park 10k and Fun Run on Saturday 15 June in a bid to raise £10,000 for her Inspire and Achieve Foundation.
The foundation was set up by Mrs Khemka in 2009 to inspire young people to work towards a positive future through structured activities that improve their approach to education, employment and volunteering.
It supports the work of the college’s Ashfield Centre – which runs specially-tailored vocational programmes for young people at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) – by delivering outreach projects and workshops designed to re-engage 16 to 24-year-olds back into mainstream education.
Mrs Khemka is taking part in the 10k alongside the foundation’s fundraiser Pippa Carter and operations manager Laura Spivey. Organised by the Bluecoat Academy PTA, it is firmly established as an annual fixture in Nottingham’s race calendar.
She said: “When first approached to participate in the event, I must admit my heart sank! But I realised that by going out of my comfort zone, I could not only help raise money but also practice what I preach.
“If I expect young people at my college and the foundation to challenge themselves, then I need to lead by example.
“So reluctantly, but with determination, I will put on my running gear, lace-up my trainers and complete two laps of a 5k circuit through Wollaton Park.
“Although I’ll probably walk at a fast pace rather than run, every pound pledged will deepen my determination and, crucially, help change the lives of young people.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Mrs Khemka can do so via her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/Asha-Khemka-OBE
