1,300 Participants Support Run for Girls 2023, Save Girls From Child Marriage
Plan International Hong Kong co-organised the 5th “Run for Girls!” with Cosmopolitan at the Science Park on 7th April,2023. Over 1,300 participants enrolled in 10.11km, 3km, or 1km parent-child runs, to fight for equality for girls living in developing countries.
Because of poverty and gender inequality, 12 million girls worldwide have become child brides and they are forced to give up their education and dreams. Even worse, they have to face the potential threats of premature pregnancy and domestic violence. This year’s theme, “Save Girls from Child Marriage”, hopes to rally support and protect more girls from becoming child brides.
Mr. Ricky Chu, I.D.S., Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, attended the charity run as Officiating Guest, calling for support to enhance girls’ rights.
Mr. Ricky Chu, I.D.S., Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, attended the Opening Ceremony as Officiating Guest. Apart from promoting equal opportunities for the marginalised and vulnerable in local society, he is also very concerned about the difficulties and challenges faced by girls living in developing countries. He looks forward to increasing support in advocating girls’ rights and promoting gender equality. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Ricky Chu, I.D.S., Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Mrs. Christine Ip, Chief Executive Officer-Greater China of United Overseas Bank Limited, Ms. June Leung, Mr. Ralph Szeto, Board Member, Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong, Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan,Phil Lam and Jennifer Yu, Volunteer Event Ambassador and Sisley Choi, Volunteer Star runner officiated the ceremony by displaying boards that showcased “Run for Girls!” 2023 and a slogan “Save Girls from Child Marriage”
Ms. June Leung, Board Director of Plan International Hong Kong shared in her speech that for the first time, men can participate in “Run for Girls!”. She also expressed deep appreciation for participants’ support in advocating girls’ rights regardless of gender.
During her opening remarks, Ms. June Leung, Board Member of Plan International Hong Kong expressed heartfelt gratitude for all the support, “many girls sacrificed their studies, health, safety, and future because of child marriage. Plan International believes that knowledge is the key to transforming lives. We strive to help girls break away from premature marriage so as to allow them to continue receiving education to live the best lives they could. The event was open to men for the first time this year. It is encouraging to see everyone running for girls’ rights regardless of gender!” All donations raised from this charity run allow Plan International to carry out anti-child marriage projects in Bangladesh and save more girls from child marriage. The scholarship will enable them to break free and create a wonderful future.
Mr. Ricky Chu, I.D.S., Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission(fourth from left), Mrs. Christine Ip, Chief Executive Officer- Greater China of United Overseas Bank Limited(third from left), Ms. June Leung(second from left), Mr. Ralph Szeto, Board Member(fourth from right), Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong(centre), Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan(first from left), Mr. Phil Lam(second from right) and Ms Jennifer Yu, Volunteer Event Ambassador(third from right)and Ms. Sisley Choi, Volunteer Star runner(first from right) officiated the ceremony by displaying boards that showcased “Run for Girls!” 2023.
Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan, the co-organiser of the event, shared in her speech that “Cosmopolitan has been supporting women to chase their dreams with no fear or worries, which matches Plan International’s mission to enhance girls’ rights for better futures. Since 2017, we have co-organised “Run for Girls!” and I am so happy to see that we are back in a physical run this year. With more participants, more donations and resources could be allocated for helping girls strive for independence, confidence, and self-reliance.”
Phil Lam(middle), Jennifer Yu(first from right),Volunteer event ambassadors,Sisley Choi,Volunteer Star Runner(first from left), shared the reasons for supporting the rights of girls at the ceremony and called for the public to support Plan International’s anti-child marriage project so that more girls can continue to study and rewrite their destiny with knowledge.
As usual, “Women Elite” category is available for the elites with extraordinary achievements from all walks of life to support the charity run and enhance girls’ rights. 15 companies participated in the Corporate Cup to raise funds for promoting girls’ rights. The Corporate Most Participants Award and Corporate Top Fundraising Award were won by KPMG and United Overseas Bank Limited respectively.
Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong (first from right),Ms. Sophia Yu, Managing Director & Publisher (third from right), Ms. Jennifer Tsang, Vice President of South China Morning Post Publishers Limited (second from right) and Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan(first from left), expressed appreciation to the Women Elites who supported “Run for Girls!” by participating in the race.
Mr. Phil Lam,Volunteer Event Ambassador and Ms. Sisley Choi, Volunteer Star runner led the 3km race.
1,300 runners participated in “Run for Girls!” 2023 , co-organised by Plan International Hong Kong and Cosmopolitan, to fight for equality for girls living in developing countries.
“Run for Girls!” 2021 has generated a donation of HK$500,000, which was used to support Plan International’s anti-child marriage project in Vietnam. The project helped Vietnamese girls to equip themselves with knowledge and life skills in the Girls Club, enabling them to escape from the vicious cycle of child marriage.
Female 10.11km Individual Run Awardees
- Senior Group 1
- Senior Group 2
- Master Group
Male 10.11km Individual Run Awardees
- Senior Group 1
- Senior Group 2
- Master Group
Female 3km Individual Run Awardee
Female Bestie 3km Group Run
Women Elite (in alphabetical order according to their last name)
Ms. Heidi Chan, Partner, Audit of KPMG, Ms Joanne Cheung, Founder and Managing Director, Meiriki Japan, Ms. Stella Chun, Kimerberly-Clark, General Manager – Hong Kong, Mrs. Christine Ip, Managing Director / CEO Greater China, United Overseas Bank Limited, Ms. Julianna Lam, Founder & President, INNOTIER, Ms. Renate Lam, Senior Human Resources Manager, Hang Yick Properties Management Ltd, Dr.Wendy Lee, President ,Hong Kong Innovative Technology Development Association, Ms. Michelle Leung, Founder, ReadingMile, Ms. June Leung, Board Member, Plan International Hong Kong, Ms. Wing Sze Wanze Li, Interim Director of Alumni Affairs, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Ms Ophelia Lin, Founder and Managing Director, Meiriki Japan, Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong, Ms. Jennifer Tsang, Vice President of South China Morning Post Publishers Limited, Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan HK, Ms. Vicky Wong, Chairperson, Hong Kong Ballet Group, Ms. Sophia Yu, Managing Director & Publisher of South China Morning Post Publishers Limited
The Corporate Cup attracted over 280 employees and their family members from 15 companies/ organisations to join the race. United Overseas Bank Limited won The Corporate Top Fundraising Award and The Corporate Cup. KPMG won The Corporate Most Participants Award. The Corporate Cup 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up were won by MEDILASE and Rotary Club of Hong Kong North Point respectively.
Corporate Cup Participating Companies
China Everbright Greentech Limited, Henderson Property Management Department, ISS Facility Services Ltd., King’s Flair Development Limited, KPMG ,Link Asset Management Limited, MEDILASE, Medtronic HK Medical Ltd, Meiriki Japan, MIMA ,Rotary Club of Hong Kong North Point ,The University of Manchester Worldwide East Asia, Transamerica Life Bermuda Ltd., United Overseas Bank Limited, UST MBA 2022 Cohort
The event would not have been successful without the generous support from participants, Cosmopolitan, Diamond Sponsor, Gold Sponsors, Official Sustainable Sportswear Sponsor, Event Gift Sponsor, Official Enrolment Platform, Social Media Partner, Green Event Partner, Supporting Organisations and volunteers. We would like to give a big thank you to them.
We sincerely invite your continuous support for our Girls Fund and make the world a better place for underprivileged girls!
With your monthly HK$120 donation (only HK$4 daily) to Girls Fund, community programmes can be launched to identify and respond to the barriers girls face. It is only through giving girls equal rights that they can fully develop their potential and live life to the fullest.
Look forward to your generous support:
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