BIKING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

The fifth edition of charity cycling event Pun Namjai Hai Nong — which translates as Biking For Kids — returns this year on June 24, 7-11.30am. Cycling enthusiasts as well as the generally kindhearted will have a chance to get physical and at the same time be part of an activity for a good cause. The event is organised by Pun Pun bike-sharing service. The group starts at Park@Siam at Siam Square One at 8.30am, heading to the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health on Ratchawithi Road. Participants are expected to arrive around 9.30am, when they will make donations of money, toys and necessities to sick children at the hospital. Then they will head back to the finish point at Siam Square 5 The donations this year will go to help children falling prey to spondyloarthropathy — a class of inflammatory joint and rheumatic diseases. According to data from the Thai Rheumatism Association, the illness is commonly found among populations near the North Pole, such as Eskimos and Alaskans, as well as among ethnic groups in the west of North America. However, its prevalence in Thailand has not been properly recorded. Spondyloarthropathy is generally characterised as inflammation in the spine as well as inflammatory peripheral arthritis. Patients will feel pain in the back as well as in the leg and arm joints. Inflammation can occur in the bowels and on the skin. The disease is detected more among teens and the middle-aged. Men are two to three times more likely to suffer from the disease than women. Last year, the Pun Namjai Hai Nong raised funds and donations for children diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease whereby the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues throughout the body. Participants can use their own bicycles during the event, or borrow a bike from the Pun Pun bike-sharing service. Registration to join the Pun Namjai Hai Nong ends on June 20. Donations can be made at the registration counter on event day.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ Punpunbikeshare.