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Hong Kong, 24 September 2024 – Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) celebrates the 16^th anniversary of its Charity Run with a fresh twist – this year’s event, themed ‘HERO RUN’, embraces the idea that anyone who steps up to help those in need can become a superhero. For the first time, the event will be spread over two days, allowing more participants including children, families and schools. 16,300 superheroes are expected to take part. Proceeds will go towards UNICEF’s global efforts to improve lives of disadvantaged children across more than 190 countries and territories, supporting initiatives in nutrition, safe water, personal and environmental hygiene, and other child rights-related areas.

UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN’ Kick-off Ceremony was held today at The ONE, Tsim Sha Tsui, officiated by Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK; Ms Ho Yuen Kei, 2024 Paralympic Boccia Gold Medallist in Women’s Individual BC3 and Mixed Pairs BC3; Mr Chan Ka Ho, renowned long-distance runner; Mr Raymond Wong, veteran actor. Ms Agnes Chan, UNICEF Regional Ambassador for East Asia and Pacific, as well as Mr Wong Kam Po, UNICEF HK Ambassador, also recorded call-to-action video messages encouraging the public to support HERO RUN.

In her speech, Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK, emphasized, “What sets heroes apart isn’t their supernatural power. Anyone, regardless of age, gender, religion and background, can be a hero for taking on the mission of easing suffering in the world. That’s why this year’s UNICEF Charity Run is themed ‘HERO RUN’ and spans two days – so that everyone has the chance to act for a difference.”

Ms Ho Yuen Kei, Paris 2024 Paralympic Boccia Women’s Individual and Mixed Gold Medallist, expressed her gratitude, noting that, “It is a great honour to be invited by UNICEF HK. Supporting the meaningful UNICEF Charity Run aligns with my values. As an athlete, I’ve worked tirelessly to reach new heights in my career, culminating in my success at the Paralympic podium. Today, I’m not here to celebrate my achievements, but to demonstrate that physical challenges do not prevent us from using our strength to help others, saving vulnerable children around the world.”

Long-time supporters of UNICEF Charity Run, Mr Chan Ka Ho and his wife, Ms Christy Yiu Kit Ching, also known as Hong Kong’s Running Couple, shared that, “We’ve been taking part in UNICEF Charity Run for over a decade, and it’s getting more exciting and meaningful every year. This year’s new format is perfect for families like ours. On one day, parents can focus on achieving their best results in ‘HERO RUN — PoweRun’, and on the other day, we can join ‘HERO RUN — WondeRun’ with our kids, while learning more about UNICEF’s vital work. It’s a win for our family’s happiness and for children worldwide.”

Mr Raymond Wong, veteran actor, highlighted the “triple happiness” he found in supporting UNICEF Charity Run, “Acting and rehearsing can be stressful, and for me, exercise is the best way to unwind. No matter how busy I am, I always make time for workouts. Running makes me happy, running for charity makes me even happier, and when UNICEF HK invited me to support HERO RUN, there was no hesitation — it triples the joy!”

UNICEF HK believes in the transformative power of sports. Physical activity not only helps children develop self-confidence but also encourages them to lead active, healthy lives. Join UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN’ now. Together, we can create a better future for every child to survive and thrive.

UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN’ will open for enrolment starting from 30 September 2024. For details, please refer to Appendix and event page: run.unicef.org.hk

UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN’ Kick-off Ceremony was held today. Officiating guests included Judy Chen, Chairman of Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (second from left), renowned long-distance runner Chan Ka Ho (first from left), Ho Yuen Kei (second from right), who recently won two gold medals at the Paris Paralympics Boccia competition, and veteran actor Raymond Wong (first from right), who is passionate about running.

Judy Chen, Chairman of Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF, emphasized in her speech that what set heroes apart wasn’t their supernatural power; anyone, regardless of age, gender, religion and background, could be a hero for taking on  the mission of easing suffering in the world.

As one of the ‘Star Heroes’ for ‘HERO RUN’, Ho Yuen Kei, who recently won two gold medals at the Paris Paralympics, is a strong advocate for this meaningful charity event. She stressed that anyone, despite physical difficulties or other challenges, could utilize their strength to help others and change the lives of disadvantaged children around the world.

Renowned long-distance runner Chan Ka Ho, also a ‘Star Hero’ for ‘HERO RUN’, praised this year’s arrangement to expand UNICEF Charity Run to two days. He believes this allows parents to focus on ‘Hero Run - PoweRun’ for one day and join their children for ‘Hero Run - WondeRun’ on another day, turning it into a family event which promotes the happiness and well-being of children globally.

Popular actor and running enthusiast Raymond Wong, another ‘Star Hero’ for ‘HERO RUN’, said that he agreed to participate without hesitation. He believes that combining charity with exercise while supporting UNICEF HK’s efforts “triples the joy.”

Agnes Chan, UNICEF Regional Ambassador (East Asia and Pacific) also supported ‘HERO RUN’ through a video message. She noted that any caring person that took action to help children around the globe was already a hero, and called for families to participate together.

Wong Kam Po, Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF Ambassador, showed his support in a video message, noting that UNICEF Charity Run was suitable for people from all ages to join. The theme ‘HERO RUN’ symbolizes that every participant can challenge themselves and transform into a hero to support UNICEF’s work in aiding children around the world.

UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN’ Kick-off Ceremony received solid support from supporting organizations and sponsoring corporations, including Ms Melissa Kaye Pang (sixth from left), Vice-President of The Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates; Ms Emily Kwan (sixth from right), Director of Corporate Communications, Kerry Logistics Network Ltd.; Ms Loretta Fong (fifth from left), Deputy General Manager of Corporate Communications, Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.; Mr Netar Chen (fifth from right), Brand Marketing Manager of moodytiger; Ms Tracy Kwan (fourth from right), Assistant General Manager of Community Affairs Dept., Sino Group; and Mr Thomas Au (fourth from left), General Manager of Marketing, Chinese Estates Holdings Ltd. who manages The ONE, the press conference venue sponsor. They took photos with Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK (ninth from right); Ms Ho Yuen Kei (eighth from right), who recently won two gold medals at the Paris Paralympics Boccia competition; renowned ‘long-distance couple’ Mr Chan Ka Ho, Ms Yiu Kit Ching with their daughter (behind and left from Judy); and veteran actor Mr Raymond Wong (seventh from right), who is passionate about running; Mr Ellis Cheng (third from left) and Dr Barbara Lam (third from right), Council Members of UNICEF HK; Mr Keith Ip (first from right) and Ms Jennifer Ma (second from left), Fundraising Committee Members of UNICEF HK; Mr Francis Cheng (second from right), Communications and Media Relations Committee Member of UNICEF HK; and Ms May Chiu, Executive Director of UNICEF HK (first from left).

Press Release and Images Download:  https://bit.ly/3XTdJg6

Links to UNICEF Ambassadors’ call-to-action video messages:

Ms Agnes Chan, UNICEF Regional Ambassador for East Asia and Pacific (Available in Chinese only): https://youtu.be/QnYBn3j_Xqg

Mr Wong Kam Po, Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF Ambassador (Available in Chinese only): https://youtu.be/S4mkAjnwXCI