Mr. Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary cum Plan International’s ex-beneficiary attended “Run for Girls” 2024 Calling for Support to Girls Rights Close to 1,900 Participants Joined the Run to Free Girls from Child Marriage

The 6th “Run for Girls” 2024, co-organised by Plan International Hong Kong and Cosmopolitan, was held on 13 April 2024 with the theme of “Free Girls From Child Marriage”. A record high number of participants, 1,900 runners showed their support by competing in 10.11km, 3km and 1km race, helping girls in developing countries to break free from child marriage.

Mr. Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary cum Plan International’s ex-beneficiary showed support to “Run for Girls” 2024 as the Guest of Honour.

Close to 1,900 participants joined “Run for Girls” 2024, co-organised by Cosmopolitan and Plan International Hong Kong, fighting for girls’ rights in developing countries together.

Mr. Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary was invited to the Kick off Ceremony as the Guest of Honour. As Plan International’s ex-beneficiary, he strives to promote public good and was delighted to see 1,900 participants attending the Run for saving girls from child marriage. Through the participation of the event, he called for public’s attention to the challenges faced by children, especially girls in developing countries and encouraged the public to empower girls to stay in schools and fulfil their dreams. After delivering a speech, Mr Chan and Ms. June Leung, Plan International Hong Kong Board Chair, Mr. Andrew Weir, Mr. Ralph Szeto, Dr. Sandra Tsang, Mr. Lo Bing Chung, Ms. Sylvene Fong, Board Members, Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong, Ms. Jennifer Tsang, Senior Vice President of South China Morning Post Publishers Limited and Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan HK officiated the ceremony with the Volunteer Event Ambassadors. One by one, they torn off the stickers of a girl in a shackle, symbolising the concerted efforts to free girls from child marriage so that girls could walk towards their bright future.

During the kick off ceremony, Ms. June Leung, Plan International Hong Kong Board Chair expressed gratitude to participants’ support and shared in her opening speech, “Child marriage not only denies girls a happy childhood, but it also takes away their self-autonomy and a chance to create wonderful life. My appreciation to the all the runners as their support will empower girls to fulfil their dreams.” The donation raised from this year’s event will enable the organisation to sustain their anti-child marriage projects in Bangladesh, providing scholarships to underprivileged girls, promoting gender education and advocacy work in communities and raising awareness among parents and girls about the harms of child marriage so that girls can continue their education and rewrite their future through knowledge.

Plan International Hong Kong Board Chair Ms. June Leung shared in her opening speech that child marriage has deprived countless girls of a happy childhood and bright future. She also expressed gratitude for the participants’ support, to empower girls to fulfill their dreams.

Mr. Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary cum Plan International’s ex-beneficiary, Ms. June Leung, Plan International Hong Kong Board Chair, Mr. Ralph Szeto, Mr. Andrew Weir, Ms. Sylvene Fong, Dr. Sandra Tsang, Mr. Lo Bing Chung, Board Members, Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong, Ms. Jennifer Tsang, Senior Vice President of South China Morning Post Publishers Limited and Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan HK officiated the kick off ceremony with the Volunteer Event Ambassadors.

As usual, a group of elites with extraordinary achievements from all walks of life has been formed as the Women Elite Group to support the run and enhance girls’ rights. The organisation was encouraged to see the overwhelming response from the corporate sector, 28 companies participated in the Corporate Cup to raise funds for promoting girls’ rights. This year, the Corporate Most Participants Awards go to KPMG (winner), Uplift Educational Charity Foundation (first runner-up) and United Overseas Bank (second runner-up). United Overseas Bank also won The Corporate Top Fundraising Award. The organisation would like to thank you the support of all the sponsors to make the event a great success.

Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong, Ms. Jennifer Tsang, Senior Vice President of South China Morning Post Publishers Limited and Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan HK showed gratitude to Women Elites for their support to “Run for Girls” 2024.

The Corporate Most Participants Awards go to KPMG (winner; at the center), Uplift Educational Charity Foundation (first runner-up; left), United Overseas Bank (second runner-up; right). United Overseas Bank also won The Corporate Top Fundraising Award. Mr. Ralph Szeto and Dr. Sandra Tsang, Board Members of Plan International Hong Kong presented the awards to the corporate representatives.

Over HK$600,000 donation raised from last year’s event was used to support our anti-child marriage projects in Bangladesh, helping girls learn about their rights at school. In addition, scholarships, learning necessities and vocational training were provided to empower girls with knowledge, helping them to break the intergeneration cycle of child marriage.