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Riffa Views International School (RVIS) students hosted a charity run in support of the Terry Fox Foundation, which supports cancer research and prevention, writes Stan Szecowka.
A running course was set up around the new FIFA-regulation-size soccer pitch and the RVIS school campus for grades 1-10 while the Early Childhood students ran around the tennis courts.
More than 300 students were joined in the run by 80 parents, staff and faculty members who wished to show their support for the cause.
Terrance Stanley ‘Terry’ Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
He dreamt the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run, would raise one dollar for each of Canada’s 24 million people. He began with little fanfare from St John’s, Newfoundland, in April and ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day.
Fox had become a national star by the time he reached Ontario; he made numerous public appearances with businessmen, athletes, and politicians in his efforts to raise money. He was forced to end his run outside of Thunder Bay when the cancer spread to his lungs. His hopes of overcoming the disease and completing his marathon ended when he died nine months later.
Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy.
The annual Terry Fox Run has grown to involve millions of participants in 60 countries and is now the world’s largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. More than 500 million Canadian dollars has been raised in his name.
Money raised by RVIS in Bahrain, which is still coming in, will be added to the pot.
