Australian alumni to fund World Vision children's scholarships through nationwide fun run

PRESS RELEASE:

A simultaneous fun run will take place on 11 August 2012 in some ten cities nationwide as the Philippine Australian Alumni Association (PA3i) aims to raise P800,000 of proceeds to fund the education of 30 kids under the World Vision Child Sponsorship Program.

Dubbed as 'PaaralRun: Race for a Brighter Future', PA3i National President Mr Arvin Yana said that the main activity in Manila will not only fund the scholarships of poor elementary students but also serve as a platform for Australian education to be showcased to Filipinos. Three universities - the University of Melbourne, Charles Darwin University, and University of Newcastle- are co-sponsoring the event and will mount exhibits on study opportunities including scholarships at the venue.

"The advocacy for educating indigent children is something that PA3i and the World Vision share, and we invite interested Filipinos, Australia-trained or not, to have fun running with us while sharing and contributing to that vision," Mr Yana said.

Supported by AusAID Manila, the benefit run will be attended by Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell and local celebrities. It will be held at the at the Vicente Sotto St. (in front of PICC) CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard in Manila. Run categories are 3k, 5k and 10k, and registration fees range from P500 to P1000. While the main event is at the CCP Complex, it will be held simulataneously by the PA3i chapters in Baguio City, Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Cotabato City, Davao City, Iligan City, Los Banos, and Tagbilaran City. Registration details for different cities including prizes can be found on the event website - www.paaralrun.com. Registration has been extended up to August 8. 

World Vision is an international child-focused, relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities worldwide to overcome poverty and injustice. It has been working in the Philippines since 1957 to uplift the lives of children in some of the country’s poorest provinces.