Lauren first encountered the 24 Hour Race as a student in Singapore in 2017, and was so inspired by the mission that she brought the race to San Francisco the following year - becoming one of the first to launch the event in a new city.
The 24 Hour Race had a massive impact on Lauren, both personally and professionally. It required her to go into new spaces and speak with new people, building the confidence she needed to pursue a career in fundraising. Today, she works as a Philanthropy Executive at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, where she frequently draws on the skills she gained from 24HR.
The most significant skill Lauren gained was self-advocacy. Organising an event as complex as the 24 Hour Race required flexibility and multitasking, teaching her the importance of having faith in herself while also showing her how crucial it is to ask for help.
Lauren believes the 24 Hour Race is unique in empowering youth because it is student-organised - participants feel more connected to event coordinators who, as their peers, they can see themselves reflected in. There is also a strong emphasis on the impact of the individual, which inspires greater involvement.
Even years after her first interaction with the race, Lauren continues to use the skills and experiences she learned to help make the world a better place.

