Running the equivalent of the distance between London and Paris, the 7EmiratesRun team successfully completed its 575km charity challenge across the seven emirates on Wednesday, raising more than Dh1 million for Al Jalila Foundation.
Beginning on November 21, the UAE’s only cross-country charity event raised 10 times more in donations than it did last year.
Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, chief executive of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “The level of support from communities and donors across the country was beyond expectation.”
The Dh1m raised will go to Al Jalila Foundation’s A’awen fund, which helps patients in the UAE with critical health conditions who cannot afford medical treatment.
“The money raised for our A’awen fund will be fully dedicated to supporting children with walking disabilities, for a chance to live better and more productive lives,” said Dr Al Olama.
Race director Wendelin Lauxen said: “We traversed desert, mountains, passed camels and dhows and we finished. Luckily for us, we have chosen to live in a very beautiful country with a diverse landscape and this epic run is a tribute to the land we each call home.”
This year the charity run included an all-women relay team and scores of students.
“At every stage, people around the UAE cheered us on and we are grateful. Thank you and here’s to next year – bigger, better and healthier,” said Mr Lauxen.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
