Walk to raise awareness on Down Syndrome March 18

KOTA KINABALU: Persatuan Sindrom Down Kota Kinabalu (PSDKK) will be organizing their Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome on March 18 to raise funds and awareness. This has been their annual event for the past five years and this year they are planning for a bigger turnout by combining the Buddy Walk with Fantasia Run.

The event will start at 6 am at the Likas Sports Complex here and will see children and individuals with Down Syndrome and their buddies participate in a leisurely 2.5 kilometre walk around the lake at Likas Sports Complex. Following the walk, there will be entertainment programmes sponsored by various agencies. Their Down Syndrome buddies will be their own family members, individuals representing various support agencies and even friends and family with other special needs. The runners participating in the Fantasia Run will be running through a scenic route of nine kilometres, flagging off from Likas Sports Complex. They are targeting about 2,000 walkers and runners for this special event.

The main objective of this event to create awareness on Down Syndrome. PSDKK wants to voice out the needs for these special individuals to be accepted into the community. They started their very own Early Intervention and Education Programme in their own PSDKK Learning Centre facility in Taman Orchid and are currently expanding their services to provide skill training for the older Down Syndrome individuals. Their funds come mainly through donations and sales of their t-shirts during the previous Buddy Walks and Fantasia Run. This will be their second Fantasia Run so far.

PSDKK welcomes the participation of the public in the event. The fee for the Fantasia Run is RM75, while students below 17 years old need only pay RM50. The fee for a virtual run is RM75. For a group of 10-19 pax, the fee is RM70 per person. Above 20 pax will be at RM65 participation fee. The fees are inclusive of event t-shirt and ecertificate. Runners who finish the nine kilometre route will be awarded a theme medal for their achievement.

The Buddy Walk fee is RM35, inclusive of event t-shirt and ecertificate.

PSDKK also graciously welcomes any contribution, cash or in-kind in making this event a success.

For any inquiries, please contact Melinda at 012-801 1979 for registration or Dr Fauziah Zainal Abidin at 019-862 0860 for sponsorship.

Further details about this event is available on Facebook ‘Fantasia Run 2018.'