Press Release – Thursday 5 October 2023
At the launch of the 2023 ‘Running for a Cause’ charity campaign Great Ethiopian Run will announce that it is partnering with UNDP to support the FOR HER BUSINESS initiative to support and rebuild the livelihoods of women who have suffered as a consequence of the troubles in Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions.
UNDP is aiming to raise a total of $500,000 to be distributed 1000 women so that each individual receives $500 to help them get back on track with earning an income.
‘Running for a Cause’ is an annual campaign managed by Great Ethiopian Run in connection with its international 10km road race which was started in 2005. Over the past seventeen years over 20 million birr has been raised through the campaign and distributed to over 30 charitable organizations working with women, children and the elderly. The campaign not only supports the beneficiary organizations financially but also acts as a publicity vehicle to showcase the work of individual charities.
Some of the race’s international participants are among the donors to this campaign. The campaign is also supported by a multitude of businesses and other organisations who make pledges for the fundraising work.
At the same event which takes place at the Hyatt Regency on 5th October, race organisers will also unveil the sponsors for this year’s children’s races which take place on the eve of the 10km. The 2023 END POLIO NOW Children’s Races will mark the 15th staging of these popular races for children aged under the age of 11.
END POLIO NOW is a message from sponsors WHO, Ministry of Health and Rotary who are working together to fund a renewed drive to eradicate polio. Since the formation in 1988 of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, polio has been largely eradicated worldwide, but there are still two countries with polio cases and the fear that polio might return to countries where it has been eradicated. Hence the need for a new push for advocacy and fundraising to provide operational support, laboratory equipment and educational materials even in countries such as Ethiopia. END POLIO NOW was also a race message of the 2023 Sofi Malt Lake Hawassa Half Marathon.
The race message for the children’s races has been provided by UNICEF, a longtime partner of Great Ethiopian Run. It reads simply “FOR EVERY CHILD, VACCINES”
Great Ethiopian Run has long been involved in supporting important health and social causes and in 2013 received an international award for its work in this area.
For more information, please contact:
Hilina Negussie, Great Ethiopian Run Marketing & Communications Director
Mob: 0911 601710
Email: hilina@ethiopianrun.org
