Pitch in for kids: let’s do it, Dubai
Virtual charity challenge: climb the Burj Khalifa! Saturday, 22 May, 9am
Up, up, up, keep climbing, you’ve got 2909 stairs,160 floors, and up to 628m elevation to go!
They say the busier you are, the more time you have for the things you really want to do. While that might not hold true for everyone, and so many of us are genuinely overscheduled, we can all make space in our busy lives to get involved and do something that means more than just an overdue sleep-in or yet another lavish weekend brunch. Besides, it’s fun!
This virtual fun run stair climb is an exciting online fundraising event in association with the well-respected Gulf4Good not-for-profit, whose goal it is to change the lives of underprivileged children around the world.
“Gulf for Good are providing an opportunity to bring people together virtually to have fun, challenge themselves while helping children in need from the safety of their own home,” said Gretta Beckett about last year's run. She is one of the Global Elite Tower Runners leading the event. Anyone can appreciate and participate in this virtual challenge supporting charities for kids in need.
How to join the fun
You’ll find a real set of stairs (or just one stair, like one champion stair runner did!) and give the challenge a go by running up and down the stairs.
- Start by registering at Gulf4Good or you can donate directly at YallaGive. There is a minimum donation of AED100 to enter the event.
- Check your email: you’ll receive details of everything you need to know to join in.
- Download Zoom or start it up. Get to the virtual starting line for the intro. Start tracking your time, get going, and you’re off to the races!
- You have until 9am on Monday, 24th May to complete the climb and submit your time.
You could win some terrific prizes as well, from Dubai’s Optimal Fitness.
Who it’s for
Anyone can join, and you don’t have to go anywhere at all. Got stairs? Great. No stairs in your home? Improvise! Use your imagination.
How to win prizes
- Tag @GulfForGood #GulfForGood the most during your climb
- Wear the funkiest trainers
- Wear the most colourful outfit
Who it’s helping
Donations are distributed as follows:
- 75% of funds raised go to SOS Children’s Villages in Kyrgyzstan
- 15% of funds raised go to Gulf for Good (not-for-profit in the UAE and registered UK charity) for their sustainability
- 10% of funds raised go to International Humanitarian City for their emergency response work
SOS Children's Villages, Kyrgyzstan
The remote Ananyevo municipality in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan urgently needs a local meeting point to connect community members and boost learning and social activities. Our goal is to raise AED185,000 (USD50,000) to build this centre on a plot of land that has been provided by the local government, and running costs to be managed by the municipality.
By building such a facility in this rural area, we will be improving the lives of 165 vulnerable families, 180 children and 12,000 inhabitants of the surrounding villages. The community centre is not just a physical structure, but also provides a space where parents receive training courses to increase their employability and parental skills and help with daily challenges. It will also serve as a venue where children play, learn and do their homework, as well as a hub for cultural and sports events.
Your investment will give the children and families of Ananyevo connection to the world, and a better, brighter future!
Learn more about the project here: https://www.gulf4good.org/charity-projects/sos-children-s-villages-kyrgyzstan/
What else can we do to help?
When the fun run is done, there will still always be children needing help locally and around the world.
If you’re located in Dubai, here are a few local children’s charities where you can volunteer and get involved:
Dubai Cares
Led by H.H Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Cares is one of the most reputable charities for children in Dubai. It works actively towards the well-being of young people and children. It has successfully carried out various education programs in and beyond the UAE to provide lifelong learning for children globally.
Their big event is Walk For Education, a three km walk to highlight the challenges for needy children. Tickets for this walk are sold at AED 35 per person while kids under five enter for free. You can support this initiative by donating, sponsoring a child or helping fundraise.
Location: Level 4, Building 16, District 7, Dubai Healthcare City
Contact: +971-4-450-4550
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society is another well-respected charitable organisation in Dubai. Since its founding in 1989, it has worked hard to help the needy. It initiates projects to help orphans or children of poor families. Beit Al Khair Society’s Taleem and Basma Programs are some of the best-known charity programs for kids in Dubai.
Taleem Program Projects
Through the Taleem Program, Beit Al Khair supports education for children from low-income families.
To date, they have supported over 13,000 students by launching The Stationery Project, providing Emirati students with a financial voucher to cover the expenses of stationery, Project Tayseer for Students, providing university students with laptops, iPads, and other tools they need to achieve a higher education, and the Basma Program’s Project including the Orphans Happiness Project, which offers gifts for orphans on holidays and special occasions.
Location: Amman St – Al Nahda 2
Open: 07:00 am – 03:00 pm
Contact: +971-4-267-5555
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