Dubai, October 10: More than 8,000 people from all walks of life turned out at Gate 4 of Safa Park on Friday to participate in the Lakbay Buhay (Walk for Life) to raise money for the relief and rehabilitation of the typhoon victims in the Philippines.
The walk was organised by the Philippine Business Council in coordination with the Red Crescent of Dubai, the Philippine Consulate and the Filipino community.
Lucille Ong, president of the Philippine Business Community, told Khaleej Times that the 5,000 tickets issued to the first batch of registrants were used up in only 30 minutes.
“It was fun to have joined in this walk for a cause, but the most important is the successful raising of funds for the typhoon victims, which would be turned over to the Red Crescent in Dubai, which would channel it to the Philippine Red Cross for the relief and rehabilitation of the typhoon victims,” Ong said.
The amount raised is not known but according to unofficial estimates, it could be around Dh500,000 considering the turnout.
The registration which started at 7am ended only at 9.30am as the organisers had to accommodate the stream of participants who included people of other nationalities as well.
–Agencies