Hong Kong, 15 December 2024 – UNICEF ‘HERO RUN - WondeRun’ unveiled today. For the first time, the premier UNICEF Charity Run is being held over two days, with the inaugural ‘HERO RUN - WondeRun’ taking place at the Old Course of the Fanling Golf Course. An unforgettable day filled with joy, music, laughter, education, vibrance and impact, all for a great cause to change lives.

Children experienced challenging elements of their first ‘7,000 days of life' with their parents in addition to the physical obstacle run and a 1km fun run. Well-being, nutrition, immunisation, climate change, and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were presented collectively and experientially through the journey of over 20 booths and workshops at the UNICEF Academy and Earth Village.

Raising Children's Awareness of SDGs

Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Yong Sheng, and Chairman of the Hong Kong Committee of UNICEF (UNICEF HK), Ms Judy Chen, officiated the opening ceremony.

Chairman of UNICEF HK, Ms Judy Chen remarked that, 'The 16th UNICEF Charity Run is traditionbreaking. This year, a fresh playful format was introduced to promote SDG awareness and inclusivity. Children are inherently playful and this playful nature is essential for their development. We hope the event would bring lasting memories for all participating families while learnig about SDGs and making impact for children around the world.’

Paris Olympic Gold Medallist Vivian Kong Man Wai: Excited to Become UNICEF HK Ambassador

Paris Olympic Gold Medallist, Ms Vivian Kong Man Wai supported the event as a Star Hero. She visited the humanitarian warehouse at the UNICEF Earth Village, which promoted SDGs. Ms Kong mentioned that the event allowed children to learn about sustainability while having fun by presenting abstract issues in an engaging way. She also expressed her commitment and excitement in becoming UNICEF HK Ambassador to promote child rights.

Paralympic Gold Medallist Ho Yuen Kei: ‘WondeRun’ Helps Raise Public Awareness to Support Children in Need

Paralympic Gold Medallist, Ms Ho Yuen Kei, a Star Hero at WondeRun, demonstrated and shared tips with children at the UNICEF Academy on ball-rolling skills. ‘Everyone is born equal, however some children in the world are unable to enjoy basic rights, such as access to education, water and vaccines,’ she said. She believes everyone can be a ‘superhero’ for underprivileged children to overcome obstacles if one is willing to step up and help.

Long-Distance Runner Chan Ka Ho: The Event Inspires Empathy in Children to Care for the Underprivileged

Long-distance runner, Mr Chan Ka Ho, a Star Hero participated in the 1km fun run and 3km obstacle run with his running partner and wife, Ms Christy Yiu Kit Ching, and their daughter. Mr Chan said, ‘I appreciate UNICEF’s effort in designing such an interesting running programme for participating families to strengthen their relationships and reflect on the obstacles to children's survival and growth.’ He and his wife will start preparing for the next episode, ‘HERO RUN – PoweRun’, to continue supporting UNICEF's global work for children.

Grand Finale of ‘HERO RUN’ Will be Held on 12 January

The next episode of UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25, ‘HERO RUN - PoweRun’, will take place on 12 January 2025, at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Inspiration Lake, featuring Half Marathon, 10km Run, 5km Run, and 3km Fun Run, suitable for all runners.

UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN - WondeRun’ is successfully held at the Old Course of the Fanling Golf Course today. Guests of Honour include Mr Li Yong Sheng (tenth from left), Acting Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong; and Ms Judy Chen (eleventh from left), Chairman of UNICEF HK. Other guests include Ms Vivian Kong Man Wai (tenth from right), Star Hero and Paris Olympic Gold Medallist; Ms Ho Yuen Kei (eleventh from right), Star Hero and Paralympic Gold Medallist; Mr Chan Ka Ho (ninth from left), Star Hero and renowned long-distance runner; Ms Emily Kwan (ninth from right), Director of Corporate Communications, Gold Sponsor Kerry Logistics Network Ltd; Ms Zoe Ng (eighth from right), Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Official Sportswear moodytiger; Ms Lamon Lau (seventh from right), Manager (Training & Development), Partner Sino Group; and Council & Committee Members of UNICEF HK.

Group photo of Guest of Honour Mr Li Yong Sheng, Acting Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong; Ms Judy Chen , Chairman of UNICEF HK; Ms Vivian Kong Man Wai, Star Hero and Paris Olympic Gold Medallist; Ms Ho Yuen Kei, Star Hero and Paralympic Gold Medallist; Mr Chan Ka Ho, Star Hero and renowned long-distance runner; and Council & Committee Members of UNICEF HK at the starting line of the 1km fun run.

Guest of Honour included Mr Li Yong Sheng, Acting Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong and Ms Judy Chen , Chairman of UNICEF HK; Ms Vivian Kong Man Wai, Star Hero and Paris Olympic Gold Medallist; Ms Ho Yuen Kei, Star Hero and Paralympic Gold Medallist; Mr Chan Ka Ho, Star Hero and renowned long-distance runner; and UNICEF HK Council & Committee Members learnt more about UNICEF’s work and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during their tour of UNICEF Academy and UNICEF Earth Village.

Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK believed every participant could enjoy a variety of activities and learn more about SDGs through game booths and art workshops at ‘HERO RUN – WondeRun’.

Paris Olympic Gold Medallist Ms Vivian Kong Man Wai supported ‘HERO RUN - WondeRun’ as Star Hero. She stated that she would be more actively involved in events to promote child rights.

Paralympic Gold Medallist, Ms Ho Yuen Kei, Star Hero of UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN’, demonstrated and shared tips with children at UNICEF Academy on ball- rolling skills. She appreciated UNICEF HK's efforts in helping children understand the barriers to the survival of underprivileged children through engaging activities.

Long-distance runner, Mr Chan Ka Ho, Star Hero of UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN’, participated in the 1km Fun Run and 3km Obstacle Run with his running partner and wife, Ms Christy Yiu Kit Ching, and their He stated that the event was a fun and meaningful way for his family to share joyful moments and make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children.

‘HERO RUN - WondeRun’ features a variety of activities, including Hong Kong's largest charity family 3km Obstacle Run on lawn and 1km Fun Run, as well as workshops and game booths at UNICEF Academy and UNICEF Earth Village. Children and parents enjoyed a meaningful Sunday.

About the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF Charity Run

UNICEF Charity Run is an annual fundraising event organized by Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF and is one of the largest charity road races in Hong Kong. Since its inception in 2006, the event has attracted over 160,000 participants. Together with generous donations from individuals and corporations, UNICEF Charity Run has raised over HK$140 million to date.