Run For Their Lives, one of Colombo’s popular and if not largest charity run will take place at Independence Square CH&FC on the 8th of December 2013 starting 7am.
This year it aims to attract over 2000 participants and raise over 2 million rupees. Run for Their Lives has grown over the years from the simple event it was in 2010 with 375 participants raising around 350,000 rupees to an extremely popular charitable gathering in 2012 with 1700 participants raising over 1.3 million rupees. This is largely due to the fact that Run For Their Lives is just a 5 kilometre run which includes a fun fair held afterwards with games, food and drink and souvenirs. RFTL is a place for people young (youngest runner 13 years) and not so young (not so youngest runner 74 years) to make new acquaintance, meet enthusiastic people with similar interests in social service etc. There are also those who are running for the cause of Cancer having lost a relative or having a loved one suffering from it.
Run For Their Lives is a charity run organized by the Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown in order to raise funds towards the purchase of medicine for the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama and bring about awareness of the plight of cancer patients in Sri Lanka. A tight budget and free treatment often puts the Cancer Hospital in dire need of essential medicine. The Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown has therefore taken it up as their mission to annually donate as much medicine as possible with the help from local businesses and the general public to ensure these shortages are kept to a minimum.
With an affordable registration of Rs 600 and unique, well-designed T Shirts, refreshments, instant photo printouts etc an air of care, colour and camaraderie sets this event apart from the rest. Also it attracts many runners mostly due to the fact that there is a guarantee that all funds will be channeled to the Cancer Hospital.
The project has seen the continuous support of Sri Lankan National Squad cricketers as well. RFTL posters and other sporting memorabilia signed by the Sri Lankan Cricket team which are awarded to the top finishers of the each run has always been extremely popularly received.
RFTL 2013 has already been endorsed by a plethora of celebrities including but not limited to actress Pooja Umashanker, Youtube star Jehan Ranatunga, lead singer of ‘Daddy’ Gayan Perera and the ‘Doosra’ legend himself Muttiah Muralitharan. The popular rock band Cynosure contributed to this year’s segment of the Run for the second time in RFTL history through the creation and dedication of one of their own compositions. From inception the blessings of the chief Oncologist at the National Cancer Institute in Maharagama Dr.Balawardane, and support from public figures like Sunil Perera, Rookantha Gunathilaka, Koluu, Jehan Aloysius, Mahela Jayawardana, Randhir, Natasha Ratnayake, Farveez Maharoof and Angelo Mathews set a solid foundation.
The main sponsors for RFTL are co-sponsor – FedEx, Apparel Sponsor –Glitz,Water Sponsor – Bindu Foundation and Brandix
Event Promoter – Take Control,Printing Sponsor – Enchanteur, Merchandise Sponsor – Kottuville, Radio Partner – TNL Radio
Web Partner – WhatsUpColombo, Digital Media Partner – LifeOnline, Online Registration Partner – shout.lk, Delivery Agent – Quickee.lk
Other Sponsors – Mahogany and FitsAir
The event has also drawn in constantly the expatriate community of Sri Lanka, who are among some of the fittest runners. Many embassy staff and other foreign delegates and visitors from UK, Thailand, Norway, USA, India, Austria, Singapore, Vietnam, China, and Australia participate eagerly to Lanka’s cause.
One important note about the funds raised by RFTL is the fact that since sponsors cover all costs of the event, 100% of registration fee given by the runners is utilized into the fund. The proceedings from RFTL are not directly handed over rather the organizers purchase much needed medicine on the advice of Dr. Balawardana and donated to the Cancer Institute of Maharagama in the form of medication.
For details regarding the RFTL 2013 can be obtained by logging into www.rftl.lk and their facebook page
Organisers have informed us that main registrations are over however there would be a Spot registration desk open on Sunday where runners can donate minimum of 300/- and participate in the Run for Their Lives 2014.
We previously wrote about young Thiwanka’s effort to raise funds for cause by cycling from Point Pedro to Colombo in 5 days. Click here
