Since early morning, hundreds of participants of all ages and nationalities were already gathering at Reunification Park, getting ready for the “Hanoi Run for Children 2015”. Alongside raising awareness for children in difficult circumstances with cancer and congenital heart disease, this event also helped promote a healthy lifestyle for runners.
"I am very happy to be a part of the Hanoi Run for Children. I’d like to contribute a small amount of money to help poor kids. I hope to do the run again next year", Ngo Nam Anh, an 8 year-old runner, said.
The Hanoi Run for Children was first organised by the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam in 2009. Since then, the number of participants in the run has increased, along with the amount of money raised, from about 27,000 USD in 2009 to nearly 45,000 USD in 2014. Thus far, the money collected from the annual charity event has helped 345 children with fatal diseases.
"We’re very proud that this event drew the support of so many people so early in the morning. This run not only helped support children, but also helped connect our community. We hope that it will be successful so that there will be even more people running next year", Barbara Nadeau, Trade commissioner, Embassy of Canada to Vietnam, said.
According to a representative from the Embassy of Canada, almost 30,000 USD was raised during this year's run. A portion of the funds will be given to children in the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics and the Hanoi Heart Hospital. The rest will be used to support the VinaCapital Foundation's Heartbeat Vietnam programme.
