By Azra Farzana Shuib
GOMBAK, 16 October 2016: The long anticipated Run For Orphans (RFO 2016) marked history today when a total of more than 1,000 participants from the IIUM community and members of the public took part in the event.
This is a much bigger number, although the initial target was 2000, compared to the first Run held last year which managed to get only around 400 participants.
Organised by Caring Club together with Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) of Mahallah Siddiq, this year’s event was held at Taman Metropolitan Kepong.
The charity run comprised two categories, a four-kilometre and eight-kilometre run. The flag-offs started at 7.25 a.m.
One of the participants, Nur Asyrani Che Ismail, 24, who was a committee member for last year’s event, congratulated this year’s committees saying that the event was “well organised  and went down very well”.
“Since this marked my first run experience, I was super exhausted, yet it was so exciting to join the others,” she said suggesting for betterment of the event in the future.
“Maybe to make the flag-off time earlier,” she said adding that “overall, the event deserved a standing ovation from us”.
One of the committee members stated that the best thing about RFO event was the weather.
“It was not hot, but it was quite windy,” he said. “That’s why everyone didn’t mind to hang out. I think the best part of the event is the weather.”
Of particular interest was the orphans present at the event itself. They came from orphanages around Gombak area, which are Rumah Kasih Nurul Hasanah, Rumah Raudhatul Al-Faeez and Rumah Perlindungan Nur Qaseh, all of which are affiliated with Caring Club.
Around 80 orphans were there at the event. Some of them took part in the run while younger children participated in modules planned by the committees.
“The kids had fun. Some of the orphans from Rumah Perlindungan Nur Qaseh asked me if such an event will be held again next time,” Ahmad Faris Amry Awang, 22, said.
RFO is an event dedicated to generating more funds for Caring Club’s upcoming programmes at the orphanages outside of Selangor that are affiliated with them. This year, they are planning for a community outreach programme at an orphanage in Pahang.
The Caring Club being the only club in IIUM that focuses solely on the wellbeing of the orphans, the charity run is arguably the biggest event being held so far.***
Photo credited to Caring Club IIUM