INAGURAL CHARITY CHALLENGE
In a sea of colour and excitement and difficult weather conditions, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland- Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) held its inaugural Charity Challenge– a six hour running relay race in two divisions - on the 3rd March 2012. The objective of the event was to raise awareness and funds for Bahrain Mobility International (BMI).
Established in 1979, Bahrain Mobility International caters to the needs of the disabled in Bahrain. Their centre in Isa Town is run entirely on donations and offers training workshops and physical therapy facilities to its members. There is also a nursery attached to the centre which caters to children aged 3 to 6 years and prepares them to integrate into the community once they start school.
The event, under the direction of Dr. Declan Gaynor, was a collaborative effort between staff and students working together to transform the campus for 12 competing teams and their supporters.
Starting at 10am, the 150 runners ran the 1.5km set route, whilst the 800 visitors enjoyed a carnival style day that included a market area, games, a band, fashion show, food outlets and educational booths. The race marshals ensured that the race rules where adhered to, but the overall feel of the day was fun for a good cause.
The charity challenge would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors: Ibn Al Nafees Hospital, Alosra, Talent 2, Riffa Views, Gulf Health Services, House of Uniforms, Arwa water, Olympia sports and Universal Laboratorie an the commitment of the teams who participated in very demanding conditions throughout the day.
The University of Bahrain student team was crowned the Charity Challenge Champions 2012 after running a total of 93 km in six hours. St. Christopher’s School student and staff team took the open division title with a total distance of 87 km. The winning teams were presented with their trophies by H. E. Muneera Isa Bin Hindi President of Bahrain Mobility International.
Special thanks to:
Gold sponsors: Ibn Al Nafees Hospital, Alosra, Talent 2
Silver sponsors: Riffa Views, Gulf Health Services, House of Uniforms.
Vendors: Fresh Berry, Pizza In, Starbucks, Mai Mahmood, Clever Cupcakes
Live Entertainment: Abdulla Mahmoud, Yousid Saheb, Kezia, Silverlake and Matters of Space
Fashion Show: Forever 21, Jawad Fashion Groups did Quiz for girls and Celio and BHS for boys, Nada Tawfeeqi with Pretty Little Things, Noora Abdulghani, Kubra Al Qaseer, Eman Haider with Lalla Eman, Amna Bushagher with Dazzling Designs & Amal Almajid with Amalia
In kind;
Universal Laboratories, Arwa water, American Mission Hospital, RCSI Bahrain 2011/2012 Student Council, RCSI Bahrain School of Nursing, Bahrain TV and Gulf Weekly and the Daily Tribune for pre event coverage.
Teams;
Al Ghalia/Al Bander, Polytechnic students, Polytechnic Staff & Students, RCSI Bahrain Staff, RCSI Bahrain Ladies Football, RCSI Bahrain Men’s Football, RCSI Bahrain Basketball, RCSI Bahrain Running Group, RCSI Bahrain Ladies Basketball, St Christopher’s School, talent 2 & University of Bahrain Staff and Students.