RunQ8 back for 6th Year
Registration open for one of Kuwait’s biggest charity events
RunQ8, one of Kuwait’s most prominent charity sporting events, is set to return on November 12th to continue with its efforts to support children with disabilities. Organized by Fawzia Sultan Rehabilitation Institute (FSRI), with the support of Founding Partner, Agility, the non-profit initiative is back for its sixth year, and will be taking place at The Scientific Center Kuwait (TSCK).
The annual event aims to raise awareness and funds to support FSRI’s Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC), a non-profit pediatrics facility providing specialized interdisciplinary treatment and care for children with disabilities. The Center provides a full spectrum of care and assessment across a number of areas - including rehab for physical injuries, developmental disorders, speech, language and swallowing difficulties, behavioral difficulties, learning disabilities, and much more.
At a press conference held yesterday at The Promenade Culture Center announcing the event, Dr Elham Al-Hamdan, President and Medical Director of FSRI, said: “Every year we are absolutely delighted by the amount of support we get from everyone in this community. RunQ8 is one of our biggest and proudest achievements at FSRI, as this initiative has been successful on so many different levels. Not only are we able to raise awareness about children with disabilities, but every year we are able to garner much needed financial and moral support to help us continue to care for these children.”
Also speaking at the conference, Alyah Al-Jasser, the Marketing Manager of the Al Othman Portfolio, which owns the charity fund of The Promenade, who this year join the race as the Platinum Sponsor, said: “we are delighted to join hands with FSRI and sponsor RunQ8 and honored to support this great initiative. Our objective of this participation is to maximize the opportunity of this run to give the people in Kuwait a wide perspective on children with disabilities and promote a message of hope”.
Important cause
Meanwhile, Nawaf Al-Rudaini, Marketing and Public Relations Manager of The Scientific Center Kuwait, who are hosting RunQ8 this year, said: “We at The Scientific Center, an achievement of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, are thrilled to be hosting this year’s RunQ8 and doing our part to support this important cause, especially as we are proud to have been the first to host the race when it started out a few years ago. Our support for this event stems from our strong belief in the importance of its mission and vision, which focuses on providing support, care and opportunities for treatment to special needs children. These children and their families need all the support we can offer them, whether in terms of raising awareness, or by providing financial support to families in need.”
Proceeds from RunQ8 go towards enabling CERC to continue providing specialized quality care for children who otherwise may not get access to the care they need. The majority of raised funds are used to help families facing financial difficulties, helping them get much-needed treatment at a subsidized lower cost, or even for free in some cases.
In its sixth edition, RunQ8 is offering two chipped distances - 5km and 10km - and is open to people of all ages and fitness levels. Although RunQ8 is a great opportunity for experienced athletes and competitive runners to challenge themselves, running is not a must. For those unable to run a marathon, they can opt to walk, jog or just stroll - as long they participate in some way to support this great cause.
This year, the event enjoys the support of a myriad of local organizations, including RunQ8’s Founding Partner Agility, Platinum Sponsor The Promenade mall, The Scientific Center, Al-Ruwayeh and Partners (ASAR), EQUATE, Fitness First, Intersport, Jumeriah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa, Porsche, Al-Essa Health Shop, Ikea and Tap. This year RunQ8 is also being supported by media partners Al Anbaa, Ahlan and Kuwait Times, as well as social media partners Khaleejesque and Everything-Kuwait. RunQ8 also welcomes all organizations wanting to contribute and support its efforts, with opportunities for sponsorship still available.