The 20th Annual Charity Run

The Annual Charity Run with the theme “Home Safety” was another success, attended by large number of participants from the Eastern Region and even from different parts of the Kingdom last 07 November 2015. For 20 years, this yearly event became a sensation in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia and supported by the local government, citizens and expatriates.

I’ve been thinking how this “run for-a-cause” started. I have learned that it started as an idea, projected at one of the parents’ meetings in Dhahran school in 1995 and supported by parents, teachers and students. It was then graced by HRH Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd ibn ‘Abdulaziz, Amir of the Eastern Province and sponsored the activities associated with this happening. Up to now, even businessmen and companies are giving their all out support for the Annual Charity Run. In fact, our company, Rawabi Holding Company, is one of the major sponsors of this noble activity for years and  had been encouraging its employees to participate and even volunteer  to help the organizing committee.

One week before the Run, we raised our willingness to volunteer and help the committee in the registration process. They built the Registration Tent at Al-Khobar Corniche, near Kudu, and was opened from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Advertisements and campaign were disseminated. Registration forms were distributed all over the schools of Eastern Region which were free-of-charge for all students while another set of forms were available for 50 SAR. The response was tremendous as the teachers, students, employees and others were simultaneously came to get their forms be processed and registered. Around 8,000 registration forms were processed and numbers were assigned and distributed to students and individuals.  

THE RUN DAY

We were told to report at the Tent, the day of event, since they extended the registration until noon. After we ended the registration, we then proceeded to the venue (5 minutes away) to get some details of our task that day and start preparing stuff for the run. As expected, we were assigned to distribute the medals to the runners and joined the other volunteers from Prince Mohammad University (students).

The venue was already set and those who will not run including women and small children were already seated. Stage was brilliant, all were busy doing some last minute preparations.

I saw the car was displayed beside the stage which will be the grand prize for the raffle draw, . I knew everybody was crossing their fingers and hoping to bring home the white Hyundai car. People were excited, arabic music was being heard all over the place while others were dancing, some Saudis were playing instruments and some youngsters were cheering.

The run for the people with disability and Special needs started at 12:00 nn. What I love about the Annual Charity Run is their objective for our brethren to take part in the run every year  “in order to encourage them to participate in social life, feel equal to normal people and interact with the society through this sport and others”, kudos to the organizing committee!

All runners were gathered at the starting point. And finally, the 5 KM run started at 3:00 PM.  Everyone looked so excited as they run towards the finish line.

Commemorative medals and sash were given to all the runners who finished the 5 KM run.

The whole event was so tiring but it was worth it knowing that the needy and certain patient categories (cancer, cerebral palsy, kidney failure, Down syndrome, hereditary blood diseases, orphans, disabled and old people, diabetes, child obesity) will benefit from this noble event.

I am grateful for this experience and it will be treasured for a lifetime. I’m looking forward for the 21st Annual Charity Run and to be of service once again together with the organizing committee and other volunteers. Cheers!

Writer: Ico Potter

*** Some photos by PotograpiyaNiPJ, thank you!