The event, created by the Child Watch Phuket Foundation in association with the local government and several private sector entities, saw competitors both walk and run the custom made course at Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus to raise funds for the worthy cause.
Vice Govenor of Phuket Amnuay Pinsuwan oversaw the opening ceremony for the race and was joined by Dr Supalak Kanchanamethakul, President of the Child Watch Phuket Foundation.
“The Child Protection Mini Marathon is an annual event supported with cooperation from various parties that helps support the wonderful work done by the charity organisation Child Watch Phuket Foundation,” said Mr Amnuay.
“This Foundation has been helping underprivileged and vulnerable children in Phuket for more than 26 years. Everyone involved today, therefore, will help such an important cause while getting fitter themselves,” he added.
The work of Child-Watch Phuket encompasses the safeguard and protection of impoverished, socially deprived, homeless children whose parents are prison inmates, and abused children of all types as listed in the Child Protection Act 2003.
Dr Supalak explained that funds raised during yesterday’s event will be used to help children across several projects the foundation supports, such as the Baan Lung Phithak project, the Home Scholarship Program, the Mobile Teacher project, the Health Kids Care project, and several projects focused on child fostering.
He further explained that the non-for-profit Child Watch Phuket Foundation has received several awards in recognition of its work over the years, including the Songkla Nakarin Memorial Award in 2021, a Rockefeller Foundation award in 2013, the National Organisation with Outstanding Social Activities award in 2012, and the Royal Award for Outstanding Benefits to Children and Youth in 2011.
Dr Supalak thanked all those that supported and competed in the event as well as the public and private sector organisations that made the event possible, including: Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus; Hanuman World; Andaman Pearl Running Club; Wichit Subdistrict Municipality; Bangkok Dibuk Hospital; and Phuket Mission Hospital.