“Dana” or giving is not a new thing to any SriLankan. We are born genial and hospitable that we never step back or think twice when comes to helping others. That is the true “SriLankaness”. The calendars of academic institutions, business entities and even of an average household are significantly dedicated for charity, volunteer projects or any kind of giving. There is no better exercise to heart than reaching down and lifting people up. We are glad to see the eagerness within people for such activities today. But one thing, the most you do for the others should be done with true virtue and not to expect anything better in return.
The Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown claims popularity among many charity service clubs in SriLanka. They are proud heirs to the Award of citation for the best public relations project and for the best Rotaract Club for the years 2012/2013. Consisting of a diverse member population, the club holds a variety of projects and events covering all aspects of youth. Professional development, international understanding and community service are their mainstream though. They are truly in a mission to make moments, save lives and create smiles through every project they undertake. Their journey is committed to every person. They have no known faces, no particular generation or age to serve for.
Out of a few remarkable projects done by them, RUN FOR THEIR LIVES (RFTL) is extra ordinary. Its inaugural event was held in 2010, which was a charity run in aid of those suffering from cancer. The concept had been drawn from various charity runs held across the world. Thus a new concept in charity brought down to SriLanka. The objective of such was to encourage people to engage in charity whilst having some fun. The very first version of this event included only 250 runners which raised a contribution of Rs 399,540. Eventually the event was held for the second and the third times in years 2011 and 2012 consecutively. The latter versions produced a sum of runners exceeding 1000 and greater contributions that calculated upto a lakh or more.
With much expectation to increase the funds, Run for Their Lives was held for the 4th time on the 8th of December. It was a 5 km charity run of which the starting point and the finishing line was the Colombo Hockey and Football Club. It was not just a mere run but included many exciting activities along their route which provided entertainment to the runners while helping to raise additional funds.
Unlike the previous versions of RFTL, this year’s event was a more exciting and an upgraded edition. The event was graced by more than 3000 runners .The participants were also encouraged to join the event in different costumes where the best costume was awarded a prize. The event consisted of a mini fair which included fun games like water sliding, mini golf and target shooting along with food stalls. The obstacle race was something noteworthy where the participants witnessed a sheer joy running with their faces covered in boxes or eyes closed. Parallel to this event, a 500km cycle leg was organized, starting from Point Pedro to Colombo for 7 days, by a fit athlete named Thiwanka Bulankulame who voluntarily pledged to cause awareness and raise funds for RFTL 2013.
RFTL also crowded together many celebrities to raise contributions. Bathiya and Santhush, two big names in the SriLankan pop industry joined RFTL 2013 to make donations for cancer patients. Further Mahela and Sangakkara joined the RFTL 2013 Facebook Profile Picture Campaign encouraging people to contribute Rs 150 to help buy medicine for cancer patients.
In this way RFTL 2013 came to an end with an eye- opening crowd that flourished the CH&FC grounds last Sunday. The Rotaractors of Colombo Uptown are planning to donate medicine for the cancer patients totaling up their expected funds which might even go beyond Rs 2 million. It seems that the club is doing a worthy job to make such a big impact on lives that are really in need. We hope that the club will do greater work taking this project to exceptional heights.
Published on the 15th December 2103 , in The Nation
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