Five schools save charity run

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-five years ago, Terry Fox defied all odds by running across Canada wearing a prosthesis on his right leg to raise funds for cancer research.
Unfazed by his disability – his leg had to be amputated above the knee due to cancer – and unhappy with the lack of work done to find a cure for the disease, he decided to undertake the 5,374km run.
The event raised millions of dollars for cancer research and he become a legend worldwide even before dying at the age of 22.
His legacy lives on in Malaysia, with the annual Terry Fox Run being held here for the 10th time yesterday.
The run was almost cancelled because there were no sponsors, but in the end it saw a turnout of about 1,200 people at the Lake Gardens through a voluntary effort by parents and teachers of five international schools here.
Parent Manisha Willms, who was part of the organising committee, said the international schools had participated actively in previous Terry Fox Runs, so when the word got out that it might not go on this year, they pooled their resources together to make it happen.
The schools, she said, organised the run together with the Canadian Association of Malaysia and Canadian High Commission.
“We also managed to sell about 1,700 T-shirts and received cash donations. All the proceeds will stay in the country and go to the Cancer Research Initiative Foundation,” the mother of two said, adding that the run was also the biggest single one-day fundraising event in the world with 55 countries participating.
The schools were the International School Kuala Lumpur, Alice Smith International School, Mont Kiara International School, Australian International School and French International School.
Association representative Doreen Buchy said the run was unique in that entry was free and participants could roller-blade, bike, walk, jog or run the 4.8km route.
Her son, Logan, started the first Terry Fox Run in Scotland three years ago.
“Being a Canadian, I wanted to do something that really meant a lot. I even received a plaque from Fox's mother thanking me for my efforts,” 16-year-old Logan said, adding that the run he started in Aberdeen had continued after he came to Malaysia last year.
As for 12-year-old William Hollomon, also a Canadian, he really enjoyed the run, which he joined because he wanted to raise money for cancer research.
“My aunt has cancer, so I am dedicating this run to her,” he said.
The organisers are still finalising accounts and the total collected will only be known tonight. Last year RM130,000 was raised.