By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 24: The Rotary Clubs under District 3310 aim to attract 5,000 participants and raise RM1 million from its upcoming fundraising charity run on May 7 at CityOne Megamall to be flagged off at 6.30am.
Rotary International assistant governor for District 3310 Leonard Sia emphasised that all proceeds from the event will support various service projects for community improvement, especially to help the poor, such as kidney dialysis and cataract operations.
“For example, the cataract operations project has been ongoing for 10 years now. Cataract is, in fact, an avoidable blindness which can be rectified.
“But people in poor communities, due to their circumstances, lack awareness about eye health apart from the financial burden for treatment. As such, they are really appreciative and happy when they can regain their eyesight,” he said.
Sia highlighted this when paying a courtesy call on DayakDaily yesterday (March 23) along with Rotary Club of Kuching Unity City treasurer Esther Hu.
The Kuching Charity Run 2023 is a joint initiative by six Rotary Clubs, namely the Rotary Club of Kuching, Rotary Club of Kuching Central, Rotary Club of Kuching Jaya, Rotary Club of Kuching South, Rotary Club of Kuching Unity City and Rotary Club of Urban Kuching.
Apart from kidney dialysis and cataract operations, Hu added that the funds raised would also go for other worthy causes in their focus areas, including empowering girls, setting up library and literacy centres, food aid, and mental health and well-being.
“We are also seeking sponsorship for the charity run event. We are doing all we can to ensure the run’s success to enable us to maximise the funds raised for great causes,” she said.
Registration for the run is open to the public until April 17. Participants may register on the event website or by scanning the QR code in the promotional material below.
The registration fee for the 2km category is RM60, the 5km category is RM70, and the 10km category is RM80.
Race pack pickup will take place at Cityone Megamall on May 5 and 6 from 11am-7pm.
Early bird registrants will receive two running T-shirts, a finisher medal, and be eligible for exciting lucky draw prizes.
Meanwhile, the top 20 men and top 20 women in the 10km category will each receive the following prize money: champion (RM350), first runner-up (RM300), second runner-up (RM250), 4th to 10th place (RM100 each), and 11th to 20th place (RM80 each).
Alternatively, interested parties may contact the organising chairperson who is the past president Dato Thomas Ngu at 016-8630516, run secretary president Eric Lew at 019-8680099, or email rotarycharityrun2023@gmail.com. — DayakDaily
