Banif sponsors the Fun Run for the fifth year
The President’s Charity Fun Run 2013, which aims to instil a healthy lifestyle among the population while raising funds for charity, was launched today by the President of Malta, Dr George Abela.
Thousands of people are again expected to participate in the Fun Run, which is now in its fifth edition as the event continues to grow in popularity. The seven kilometre run leaves from San Anton Palace, in Attard, and passes through a number of villages along the way before ending in St George Square, Valletta.
The Fun Run will be held on Sunday December 1, 2013, in collaboration with the Malta Amateur Athletic Association. It is supported by the Ministry for Health, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing and Valletta European Capital of Culture 2018.
Banif Bank (Malta) plc is once again sponsoring the Fun Run, which last year saw around 14,000 people participate in aid of L-Istrina. “The first edition started with a modest number of participants, which still exceeded our expectations, and from then the event has grown significantly while encouraging everyone to donate ten euro for l-Istrina,” said President George Abela.
The Fun Run started as an idea to encourage the Maltese to get off the couch and instil an element of physical activity. “Statistics published recently show that Maltese children are classified as obese and this does not augur well for the future of the country,” the President added. “Everyone is encouraged to take up walking or running as a physical activity and participate in the Fun Run. I would like to encourage as many people as possible to take up this challenge, there is still enough time to get in shape for the seven kilometre run that will be held in a few weeks’ time.“
“Apart from working towards a better lifestyle, participants will be making a small contribution to l-Istrina which ultimately helps many people who are less fortunate. Moreover, participants will get back more in value for their participation fee through a goodie bag,” the President added.
"This year's edition of the Fun Run marks five years of collaboration between Banif and the Presidency," said Joaquim F. Silva Pinto, Chief Executive Officer at Banif. "We are happy to have had the foresight back in 2008 of being part of The President's Charity Fun Run that year on year has grown in both importance and proportion.
"Once again the Bank will be making its resources available and will be accepting applications in its 10 branches to sustain the Malta Community Chest with the logistics of the event. The Bank is truly grateful to the public whose solidarity and enthusiasm fuels our energy year after year; to More Supermarket, who for the second year running will support this activity; to the Bank's staff who are all actively involved in this event. Last but not least, a special thanks goes to HE George Abela - who has given us the possibility to be part of the national activity and for the work that he and his team carry out for the benefit of deserving causes and NGOs," added Mr Silva Pinto.
The Minister of Health, Godfrey Farrugia, emphasised on the importance of exercise to take care of our health. “Apart from doing physical exercise which is very important for everyone to keep fit and lead a better life, Fun Run participants will be assisting a philanthropic initiative,” said Dr Farrugia.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing, Franco Mercieca, encouraged elderly people to remain active in society and urged them to train for the Fun Run to feel young in spirit and join the thousands of participants who every year join the President of Malta in a jog from San Anton to Valletta.
Fun Run applications can be collected from all Banif Bank branches, the Palace in Valletta, the Palace at San Anton or online www.funrun.org.mt
