Heartbeating Moments on Malaysia Day at IMU Chariofare 2017

~ IMU’s Chariofare 2017 brings together more than 1,700 runners for charity ~

Kuala Lumpur, 16 September 2017 – On the back of our nation’s 60^th Merdeka Day celebrations, IMU reinforces the spirit of unity and standing together as 1Malaysia with a charity run and fund-raising carnival in conjunction with Malaysia Day as well as IMU’s 25th Anniversary. In its sixth year running, IMU’s Chariofare this year is themed “Heartbeating Moments”, with a focus on opportunities for hearts to be united and warmed in togetherness regardless of origin and social status.

Gracing the event was former national badminton player, Wong Choon Han, who also happens to be a good friend of IMU. “Having a run on Malaysia Day is very meaningful especially when it’s for a good cause. I believe it creates more awareness among the community on the need to serve those who are underprivileged,” he said when interviewed. “I really support this event and I hope more people will give a helping hand to those in need.” This year, a total of about RM277,691 was raised towards IMU Cares Humanitarian Fund, which collaborates with NGOs such as MERCY Malaysia and Medecins Sans Frontiers to extend medical or financial aid to the diverse communities in our midst. Each year, IMU’s Chariofare proceeds are fully donated to various charitable organisations and this year the beneficiary is IMU Cares Humanitarian Fund. Started as a Natural Disaster Fund, the team later realised that the scope should be extended to cover humanitarian aspects of offering care and aid to migrants and refugees in our land as well. Past beneficiaries of the IMU Chariofare included victims of the Acheh tsunami, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the earthquake in Nepal, the flood in Kuala Krai (Kelantan) and the Chennai flood.

“When ethnicity, race, social or religious background do not mar humanitarian efforts, a nation is strengthened,” shared Dr Mei Ling Young, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of International and Engagement, IMU when addressing the crowd at the University’s main campus in Bukit Jalil, adding that “The IMU Cares Humanitarian Fund is IMU’s heart for the people out there. Not just our student body or faculty of staff, but each and every individual residing in this beautiful nation of ours called Malaysia. From the young to the old, and from all walks of life, each individual matters, and IMU Cares is here to live that out.”

“We are grateful to our 68 sponsors, who includeNae University

Diamond Sponsor	EXSIM Group of Companies
Platinum Sponsor	MSIG
Gold Sponsor	IJM Land
Silver Sponsor	Studioukur Geomatics

among other product sponsors who contributed generously to make this event a heartwarming success,” Dr Young acknowledged in closing, recognising the valuable contributors of over RM500,000 in sponsorship in total. Other faithful sponsors include Star Cruises, Pantai Parkway, Pantai Premier Pathology, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Themed Attraction Resort and Hotel Sdn Bhd, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur and Nestle. “This is a very meaningful event and it’s very well done. It’s great seeing all the races coming together on a special day such as the Malaysia Day; it adds greater meaning to it,” said Lim Aik Hoe, Group Managing Director, Diamond Sponsor EXSIM Group of Companies. Returning for the second time as sponsor was Themed Attraction Resort and Hotel Sdn Bhd who also joined the run and clocked just under 55 minutes for the Category G – Team Run. The run consisted of 1739 participants from 5 years old to 72 years old in eight categories ranging from a 3km Fun Run (Photo Dash) to 10km men, women and team open. Individual runners went home with medals and hampers whilst the first five winning teams received trophies, engraved medals, appreciation plaques and cash prizes ranging from RM1,000 to RM3,000. A total of seventeen teams from seven companies in total then got to elect to donate their cash prizes to beneficiaries of their own choosing (registered NGOs in Malaysia). The companies represented in the team category include Ajinomoto, MSIG Insurance (Malaysia) Berhad, Pantai Premier Pathology Sdn Bhd, Lam Soon, Parkway Pantai, Themed Attractions Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd (TARH) and CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Australia (Malaysia). Participants of the 3km Fun Run (Photo Dash) had a chance to take a photo at a stop along the route with their loved ones with the aim of capturing the most “Heartbeating Moment”, the best three of which received a hamper.

Besides the run, which took place between 6:30am and 10:00am, a vivid fund-raising carnival of 85 booths in total, kept guests occupied from 8:30am to 2:30pm. The booths ranged from food and beverage stalls, extensive fun and games, enthralling performances, flea market stalls, as well as free medical and oral health screening. Oral health screening options included dental screening, polishing and whitening. Medical health screening included body mass index (BMI) readings, blood pressure and blood glucose level readings, as well as visual acuity and counselling by a pharmacist. Visitors were also offered chiropractic health screening as well as Chinese Medicine (Tuina) advice.

Khazanah IHH Healthcare Fund (KIHF) representative Janeen Thong, Senior Manager, Risk Management of IHH Healthcare presented the KIHF coin boxes to the children on the day too. KIHF was a collective initiative by Pantai Hospital KL and IMU called “Spare A Thought, Spare Some Change”. 180 children from five homes under IMU Cares namely Rumah Charis Home for the Children, Rumah Titian Kaseh Titiwangsa, Ti-ratana Welfare Society – Salak South Baru, Rumah Victory Children and Youth Home and Asrama Damai Rumah Anak-Anak Yatim Kuang were given a KIHF Coinbox with a startup savings of RM5 each to encourage children to save from a young age. These funds were generously raised by the community. Fifteen children from Rumah Charis, Rumah Victory and United Learning Centre rocked the stage with a Culture of Malaysia fashion show. The children from Lautu Education Centre also presented two renditions, much to the delight of the crowd present. The event reached its greater height when Cre Art Asia took over the stage with some hair—raising act particularly the aerial dance. Cre Art Asia is one of Asia’s largest modern circus troupes who will also be performing in KLPAC end of the month where part of their ticket sales were channeled to IMU Chariofare 2017. Batteryheadz, a local team of young and aspiring percussionists consisting both students and professionals rocked the venue as well. Early bird registrants for the run qualified for a lucky draw and those who bought coupons to participate in the carnival qualified for a GRAND DRAW which took place on the event day itself. A total of RM40,000 worth of prizes were given out that wrapped up the event with that much more joy and smiles. Video of the event In the News:

StudyMalaysia.com, 7 Oct 2017	Heartbeating Moments on Malaysia Day
Sin Chew, 7 Oct 2017
Harian Metro, 17 Oct 2017	Larian Amal Bantu Golongan Memerlukan
New Straits Times, 1 Nov 2017	Running for Charity
New Straits Times, 14 Nov 2017
Fireflyz, September issue