Fundraiser set for Filipino Olympic and Paralympic athletes

MANILA, Philippines - Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of State at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, looks forward to welcoming Filipino athletes and spectators during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“London is the first Olympic host city to include sustainability from Day One of preparations. It is a demonstration of the UK’s wider commitment to global goals. We look forward to welcoming Filipino athletes and spectators in July 2012,” said Browne, who was the guest of honor at the recent launch of a fundraising event for the benefit of Filipino Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing in the London 2012 Games.

The fundraiser, dubbed Summit Water Run for Pinoy Glory, will take place on Jan. 7, 2012 at Bonficaio Global City. The event aims to harness the bayanihan spirit to support Filipino athletes who are competing in the London 2012 Games. More than just raising funds, the event seeks to boost the morale of the athletes by generating a large number of participants to publicly demonstrate the Filipinos’ overwhelming support for the Philippine Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Browne witnessed the ceremonial signing by the representatives of the race organizer and its partners: British Deputy Ambassador Trevor Lewis; Derek Page, director of UK Trade & Investment Manila; Alison Doig-Henderson, executive director at the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines; Arturo Macapagal, president of Philippine Olympians Association; Luis Jose Arellano, president of Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled; Angelie Ong, brand manager at Asia Brewery; and Lawrence Plata, general manager of Shadowfax Events and Marketing.

The run will allow people from all walks of life – athletes and non-athletes, able-bodied and differently-abled – to support the country’s sports figures. A unique feature of the run is a special category for participants in wheelchairs, which highlights the paralympic aspect of the Games.

The UK is the birthplace of the modern paralympic movement. The UK’s celebration of its values – diversity, openness and inclusion – will be reflected in the London 2012 Games, which promises to be the most accessible and inclusive Games ever for athletes and spectators.

More than 50 nations competing in 2012 will be cheered on by a local community of more than 10,000 of their fellow country men and women. Filipino athletes will have about a quarter of a million of their countrymen in the UK rooting for them.

Registration for the run is ongoing at R.O.X. Boni High Street and participating Chris Sports branches.