There are scores of reasons to take part in the Bermuda Day Half Marathon.It might be a way to test your physical endurance, improve upon last year’s running time or for bragging rights among your friends.But for a group of local runners, it’s a chance to raise money for a worthy charity — Raleigh Bermuda.The Weekenders members — Darin Cassidy, Natalie Dyrli, Leonard Davis, Joe Barbosa, Ali Hochberg, Catherine Mello and Mark Outerbridge — are aiming to raise as much funds as possible for the Island’s youth.Raleigh provides young Bermudians with personal development training and support through on Island camping and coaching, as well as the chance to journey overseas.Money raised through the May 24 run will help support eight young people aged 17-25, looking to venture to far off places like Tanzania, Malaysia and Central America to complete community and environmental work this summer.Mr Cassidy said he had the chance to support Raleigh a few years ago; and thought the upcoming run would provide him with a good opportunity to help again.“As a group of people that love to run, being able to support an excellent organisation like Raleigh while doing something we enjoy was an easy decision,” he explained.Though it will be a gruelling race, he said just knowing their efforts are going to a worthy cause “will provide the extra push needed to get to the finish line”.The Weekenders have raised money for other special causes in the past. Last year they helped raise money for a young boy named Dakari Saunders who suffers from cerebral palsy; they have also supported Outward Bound and ‘ONE FUND’ for the victims of the Boston bombings.Ms Dyrli said she gets personal satisfaction from running, but the reward is even sweeter when they can help people in need.She encouraged people to get behind their fundraising challenge and support Raleigh for all it’s positive work in setting youth on brighter path.“They are passionate about helping young Bermudians realise their full potential, which in turn, benefits the community as a whole,” she said.Raleigh Bermuda is encouraging as many alumni as possible to come out with their Raleigh shirts and signs. They will also be having a ‘sign-making event’ at their office next week so past participants can support the runners along the course.Executive Director Kristin White said she was thrilled to hear The Weekenders would be running on their behalf.Ms White said: “The marathon is such a major part of Bermuda’s culture and to complete it requires such dedication and commitment. So it’s a great message for our participants, and of course, we’d love to have the community’s support in this fundraising venture.”Donations can be made online to HSBC Bermuda account 010-120756-001 or via mail to Raleigh Bermuda, PO Box HM 2475, Hamilton, HM GX.