Dubai Cares, part of Mohamed Bin Rashed Global Initiatives, has announced its second initiative this year to mark and celebrate the “Year of Zayed 2018”. The 9th edition of Dubai Cares’ annual Walk for Education 2018 will be taking place on Friday 16 February, 2018 at Dubai Creek Park, next to Al Garhoud Bridge, Gate 2. Dubai Cares is inviting everyone to participate alongside family, friends and colleagues and walk in solidarity with millions of children in developing countries who walk long distances every day to go to school. This symbolic three-kilometer walk also aims to raise funds towards providing underprivileged children and young people around the world with access to quality education.
Speaking about this year’s edition of the annual Walk for Education, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares, said: “With the launch of our second community engagement initiative for the year, we are delivering on our promise to continue to celebrate the ‘Year of Zayed’ and reaffirm our commitment to continue his legacy. The annual Walk for Education has become a staple event in the UAE’s calendar of event; however every year we are committed to introducing new activities and attractions to incentivize more people to joins us on the day in support of our cause. Recognizing the increasing importance of youth philanthropy, we have focused our efforts this year on attracting and engaging the youth through our Walk.”
David Healy, CEO EMEA of Aetna International, said: “We are proud to support Dubai Cares' immensely inspiring and successful Walk for Education this year. At Aetna, our mission is to build a healthier world and to help people stay healthy by focusing on wellness and prevention. That’s why sponsoring the Dubai Cares Walk for Education 2018 is the perfect way for us to turn this commitment into action. We are delighted to be a main supporter of the event which will highlight the struggles experienced by children in developing countries reaching school each day. It’s set to be a fun and inspiring day out, and our employees alongside their friends and families are very much looking forward to taking part.”
Rizwan Ahmed, Executive Director of IFFCO Group said, "This is the second consecutive year that we are supporting the Dubai Cares’ Walk for Education, which is a testimony to our commitment to providing every deserving child a better access to education so that we can help them in creating and sustaining a better future. The IFFCO Group believes in investing in the future and we know that our children are our future. We are proud to be associated with this initiative and are looking forward to a successful event."
This year's Walk will be hosted by Emirati columnist and social commentator Khalid Al Ameri and Virgin Radio’s presenter Maz Hakim, joined by Dubai-based DJ Keza. It will be complemented by an impressive program of sport and entertainment activities which include Zumba, hip-hop classes, football and tennis challenges, face painting, hair braiding, and arts and crafts stations. Attendees will also get to savour delicious food and drink by visiting pop-up food and beverage stalls from Chaiwala, Costa, DoH Mini Doughnuts, Moylos, Saj&Co and Taqado.
This year’s main sponsors are IFFCO and Aetna, joined by Chevron as a sponsor. Al Tayer Group and The Kindergarten Starters are among the first organizations to sign up, confirming the participation of 2,100 staff and 1,414 students and staff respectively.
Building on the success of last year’s Walk for Education, which attracted more than 14,500 participants and 250 volunteers, Dubai Cares is expecting an increase in participation levels this year.
Dubai Cares’ other supporting partners for the Walk for Education 2018 include Arabian Radio Network (ARN), Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Sports Council, ExpatWoman, JK58, Hills Advertising, ITP Media Group and RTA.
The entry fee for this year’s Walk for Education is AED 30 per person, with entry being free of charge for children under five. Participants can register online at dubaicares.ae or on the day, and are advised to arrive at 8am with the walk starting at 9am.