Three ultra-marathoners run 100km across Klang Valley to raise funds for the benefit of underprivileged kids at Dignity for Children foundation.
KUALA LUMPUR, August 25, 2013 – It was a long but purposeful 17-hour journey all through the night for Alex Au-Yong, Kyle Tan and Daniel Lee as they ran 100km across Klang Valley to raise funds for the children of Dignity for Children Foundation.
Themed ‘Run for Dignity’, the XtraMile Run 2013 aimed to raise awareness and interest amongst Malaysians to support the education initiatives of Dignity for Children Foundation.
This is the second time Alex has run 100km for charity. The inaugural 100km XtraMile Run was held in 2011 where he successfully raised an outstanding amount of RM111,000 for StART Society*.
This year, Alex and two of his like-minded friends – Kyle Tan and Daniel Lee – came together in the spirit of giving back and ran to give education to the poor and underprivileged kids of Dignity for Children.
Daniel Lee is an upcoming para-athlete, who was born with osteogenesis imperfecta - a condition also known as “brittle bones disease”.
Close to 160 runners ran alongside Alex, Kyle and Daniel in relay style at 10km, 13km, 26km, 31km stretches of the 100km run. Through this run, the runners expressed solidarity in making a loud and clear statement – “educate the poor, stomp out poverty.”
The runners flagged off at Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside and made their way through pit stops at Shaftsbury Cyberjaya, Sunway Pyramid, Dignity for Children Foundation learning center in Sentul, Menara Maybank on Jalan Tun Perak, Lake Gardens and ended at Athlete's Circle, Jaya One.
“If someone asks you to go one mile, go with him the extra mile. This saying has been my inspiration for the run. Running 100km for the children of Dignity is my extra mile,” said Au-Yong, a brand manager at Athlete’s Circle Malaysia.
“We chose Dignity for Children Foundation as our beneficiary because we believe in their vision to break the cycle of poverty through education. They are doing an excellent job in transforming the lives of underprivileged children. With the funds raised, we can empower the children with quality education and life skills. In essence, we’re giving them the opportunity to change their destiny,” said Au-Yong.
Members of the public came to show their support and cheered the runners on. Pit stop activities featured symbolic acts such as “Light their Way” where candles were lit along the way of the runners and children. Runners and supporters also stomped on a banner printed “POVERTY” to signify them stomping poverty out of the lives of these children.
The run also featured the XtraOrdinary Walk for disabled XtraMilers such as Cheryl Mohan and Daniel Lee – to convey the message that anyone can be an XtraMiler, regardless of race, creed or ability.
“Our aim is not only to impact our community, but to inspire others to do the same. I believe that everyone can be an XtraMiler. Impacting our community is not one man’s job. This run sends a powerful message – let’s all go the extra mile for those in need,” said Daniel Lee, who has been wheelchair-bound since the age of two.
Corporate sponsors including Maybank, FrogAsia, Quanterm Logistics, Ford and Carolyn’s School of Rhythmic Gymnastics have caught the vision of the XtraMile Run by sponsoring both monetarily and in kind.
“We think it’s enough to just give them food and books, but it doesn’t work that way. Education for the poor is not charity. It is intervention, transformation and development. We are thankful for all the corporations and individuals who have supported us through the XtraMile Run. The funds generated will help us make a difference and give dignity back to the children,” said Elisha Satvinder, Chairman of Dignity for Children Foundation.
The XtraMile Run 2013 successfully raised a total of RM138,425.00 in public and corporate donations. All the funds raised were channeled to benefit 135 preschool children and 141 secondary school students under Dignity for Children Foundation.
For more photos of XtraMile Run 2013, please click HERE.
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