TO raise funds and autism awareness, the Parent’s Reach Foundation Inc. (PRFI) has come up with a fun run dubbed as Reach Out Run For Autism Awareness Challenge on July 15 at the parking area of SM City Cebu Northwing.
The proceeds of the running event will be used to aid the scholarship program for the indigent children with autism under the Reach Center, an organization that serves the community by recognition and management of children with autism.
“The event is to raise funds for our scholarship program. We have 20 scholars every year; one of the scholars expense is about P8,000 per month. Most of these scholars are from far-flung areas,” said PRFI president Joseph Michael Espina in a press conference yesterday.
Children with autism have difficulty in coping with the regular kids and most of the time, they will need to undergo therapy to help them at least learn life basics like taking care of themselves, and sometimes, speaking. However, therapies come expensive, much more for indigents.
The run is open to all and will feature the regular 12-kilometer, 6K, 3K and 1K categories. There will be a special 1K category that will be divided into Family, Children with Autism, Kiddie Dash and PWD divisions.
The organizers have also partnered with the District 3860 Rotary Club-Cebu Fuente for its first running event.
Dr. Allan Senerpida, the president elect of Rotary Club Cebu Fuente, said that the fun run is only one of the series of activities that they have supported as part of the raising autism awareness to the community.
Race director Kenneth Casquejo of Kinetic Concepts said that they are hoping for the participation of Cebuano runners for this event. He said that they’re targeting to draw about 1,000 runners.
Cash prizes will be given to the Top 3 runners in the men’s and women’s 12K and 6K.
Registration fee is at P250 for the 1K, P350 for the 3K, P450 for the 6K and P550 for the 12K inclusive of race shirt, bib, certificate, post race snack and finishers’ medal for the 12K. (RSC)