Local Runners in Record Race
This weekend’s City2Surf is a sold out event which is already a record-breaker with 90,000 entrants set to start on Sunday, 11th August. Hundreds of local runners will be joining the field for a variety of causes.
Quyen Linh (pictured) is a Cherrybrook local who will be running his first ever City2Surf as UNICEF Australia Charity Superstar.
He has experienced UNICEF’s impact on children and families displaced from their homes in countries around the world.
“When I was nine years old back in 1981, I was one of those boat people escaping from the Vietnam war with my father. We ended up in Thailand’s refugee camp where we received help in the form of clothing and blankets from UNICEF,” Mr Linh said.
“Even though the memories in the Thai refugee camp are quite vague now, I remember the UNICEF logo when we were given a set of clothes and a blanket.”
Across the globe, the number of forcibly displaced people has soared, while the situations are becoming increasingly protracted, caused by conflict and violence, climate change and disasters, or a combination. Children make up less than one third of the world’s population, but more than 40 per cent, or 47 million, are displaced people – with the number of children forced to flee their homes doubling in the last decade.
He is among about 160 people who have signed up with Team UNICEF to run, jog, walk or stroll the iconic 14 kilometre course from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach to raise critical funds for the world’s most vulnerable children.
UNICEF is committed to safeguarding and improving children’s lives, across the world and in all areas of health, nutrition, education and protection. UNICEF has an important role to play in advocating for the rights of refugee and displaced children to be supported with continued access to healthcare, education, protection and care, wherever they are.
CEO of UNICEF Australia Tony Stuart said, “It’s so inspiring to hear individual stories, like that of Quyen, who as a child received help from UNICEF – and is now finding a way to help other children in need. “
Walter Tennikoff from Glenwood will be running his third City2Surf after a gap of 9 years. He is running to raise money for the Heart Foundation.
His previous two runs (2014 and 2015) he completed in exactly the same time of 1hr 19 minutes and 47 seconds. He said he was very doubtful of coming close to that time in Sunday’s race after such a gap but he is looking forward to running the event on behalf of the Heart Foundation.
To support Quyen on his fundraiser run visit https://city2surf24.grassrootz.com/unicef/quyen-linh
