Local News

Walkers unite!

January 30 - February 5, 2008
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FUND-RAISERS are being urged to put their best foot forward and help children with Down Syndrome in the kingdom.

Organisers are looking for volunteers to take part in the first annual Shoe Mart Walkathon and help raise money for the Bahrain Down Syndrome Care Centre.

The walkathon will be held at Amwaj Islands on March 21, to mark World Down Syndrome Day and Mothers' Day.

Walkers will meet at The Beach Club at Amwaj at 11am. They have a choice of two routes and join one of the groups stepping out for charity.

The 3km route:

The Stiletto Sprint - ladies, show off your heels!

BabyWalks - Young mothers, walk with your pushchairs!

Happy Feet - for our beloved children.

Heels & Wheels - 'walking' shouldn't be an obstacle! Let's push those wheelchairs!

The 5km route:

The Mother/Daughter Walk - to celebrate Mothers' Day, of course.

The Healthy Hike - a little cardio never hurt anyone.

The Doggie Dash - walk your Pooch.

The Singles' Strut - celebrate your individuality! Singles' Unite.

Corporate / Social Groups - great for team-building.

Schools & Universities - learn about the cause.

Families / Friends - just for fun.

And to top it all off, the walkathon ends with the first-ever Shoe Festival! This carnival will have games and activities for people of all ages with proceeds also going to charity.

Participants can expect a succulent BBQ picnic by hiring a picnic basket, with several food stations offering local bites and finger-foods.

Other fun activities above and beyond the traditional carnival games will be 'shoe throwing' and 'shoe designing' contests. Shoe Mart will be providing 'The Good Foot' stations featuring pedicures, reflexology, massages and foot baths.

"Al Rashid Group is extremely proud to patron this event," said Zafar N Ali, marketing manager of Al Rashid Group. "Shoe Mart is one of our strongest lifestyle brands and Down Syndrome is our charity of choice this year. We cannot wait to walk with all the participants and raise money for this cause!"

Down Syndrome is a set of mental and physical symptoms that result from having an extra copy of chromosome 21. Even though people with Down Syndrome may have some physical and mental features in common, symptoms can range from mild to severe. Usually, mental development and physical development are slower in people with Down Syndrome than in those without it.

People with the syndrome may also have other health problems.

To join in the fun, contact Al Rashid Group on 17564005, fax 17564006 or email: theshoemartwalkathon@

gmail.com







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