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HONG KONG, 17 AUGUST 2014 — UNICEF Charity Run 2014 will be held on 23 November 2014 (Sunday). The race is now open for public entry till 17 October. To echo UNICEF’s scale- up efforts in providing early infant diagnosis and treatments of HIV, UNICEF HK increased the quota of 3km Family Fun Run to 700 groups this year, to encourage more families and children to join hands with UNICEF and support children and families who are affected by HIV/AIDS afar. The event T-shirt of this year is again designed by renowned illustrator Dorophy Tang. And for the first time, runners can donate more to have their names or customized messages printed on the T-shirt and have a personalized race journey. UNICEF HK hopes it can raise HK$11 million to help UNICEF achieve an ‘AIDS-Free Generation’.

Charity Run supports scale-up efforts of ‘Unite against AIDS’ campaign to help more babies get earlier HIV diagnosis

Since UNICEF launched the ‘Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS’ campaign in 2005, the number of children infected with HIV per day decreases by over 55%, from 1,500 children in 2005 to 650 last year. Yet there are still over 240,000 cases of new HIV infection among children in 2013. To achieve an “AIDS-Free Generation” by 2015, UNICEF has been striving to scale up the efforts in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV (EMTCT). Works include ensuring early infant diagnosis and treatment for all babies born to mothers living with HIV. 75 per cent of HIV-related mortality in children living with HIV can be reduced if antiretroviral therapy can be initiated before the twelfth week of life.

In response of UNICEF’s scale-up efforts, UNICEF HK increased the quota of 3km Family Fun Run by over 12% to 700 groups this year, so that young children, or even babies can join the good cause with their family. It is also hoped more people, regardless of age, can understand more about HIV/AIDS and support those who are living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries. Families can join 3km Fun Run in a group of maximum four members, with at least one member age above 18, and make a minimum donation of HK$1,800. Those who can donate up to a designated amount will receive ‘One-Day Ticket’ to Hong Kong Disneyland. As usual, there are four races to be held that day, namely, Half Marathon, 10km Run, 5km Fun Run and 3km Fun Run. Apart from 3km Family Fun Run, the quota for 5km Fun Run is also increased by nearly one-fold to 1,500.

UNICEF HK Chief Executive Ms Irene Chan said, “Without treatment, one third of children infected with HIV will die before their first birthday, and half will die before their second birthday. So, it is very important to reach them at infant level with HIV treatment. ” She added, “No age limit for giving a helping hand. Even very young children can join the 3km Family Fun Run with their family members, to support UNICEF and help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. All the sweat and efforts will pay off, as this will be a great family activity, a great physical and mind training, and a great learning of empathy and compassion for children. ”

Renowned illustrator Dorophy Tang designed event T-shirts for the third year and wish to raise more funds

Renowned illustrator Dorophy Tang has designed creative and fine runner T-shirt for UNICEF Charity Run for three consecutive years to cheer for runners. For the first time this year, runners of any races can make an extra donation of HK$112 to have a personalized T-shirt with their name or customized messages in either not more than five Chinese characters or 10 English characters printed, creating their own unique race journey while raising more funds for the event. In addition, customization of number cloth will be introduced, runners of designated races can choose to have personalized number cloth by making additional donation. (Please refer to further details on event webpage http://run.unicef.org.hk)

Dorophy said, “The longer time I work with UNICEF, the more I recognize their achievements for children. Designing the T-shirts for UNICEF Charity Run to support them in fighting against HIV/AIDS has become the most exciting thing for me every year. This year, for the first time, runners can have their names or customized messages printed on T-shirts, we hope this innovative idea can help recruit more supporters and raise more funds to support UNICEF in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.”

UNICEF Charity Run has been successfully organized for nine consecutive years since 2006 and has raised more than HK$55.5 million with the support of over 72,000 runners. We aim to call for 15,000 runners to participate in the UNICEF Charity Run 2014 and to raise HK$11 million to support the prevention and treatments for HIV/AIDS worldwide. This year, Charity Run will continue to be held at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Sunny Bay where the courses are level and scenic. It encompasses scenic spots in Hong Kong including the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Inspiration Lake, and costal area alongside Airport Express Station and Sunny Bay.

UNICEF Charity Run is recognized by Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association (HKAAA). The Half Marathon and 10km routes are verified by the AIMS and HKAAA. This is also the second largest scale of long-distance running event in Hong Kong.

Enrollment for UNICEF Charity Run 2014
Aim:	To raise funds for UNICEF’s work on eliminations of mother-to-child transmission on HIV/AIDS and achieve an ‘AIDS-Free Generation’
Date:	23 November 2014, Sunday
Venue:	Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Website:	http://run.unicef.org.hk
Contact:	2833 6139

Enrollment is based on first come first served basis. The organizer reserves the right to close entries before the deadline without notice. Announcement will be made on event webpage.

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