Capital FM’s Kassim Hassanali sells Mater Heart Run merchandise to motorists/MIKE KARIUKI
Event organisers predict that given all the effort that has gone into this year’s run; it will be the biggest yet.
“We had about 43,000 participants last year and we expect over 50,000 this year given all the t-shirts we’ve sold,” Lawrence Muiga Mater Hospital’s Marketing Director told Capital FM News.
Nicole Karimi who is charged with organising the on-ground activities adds that it will not only be bigger but better. “There will be more fun and games for the kids, we expect top acts such as Avril, Jaguar, Juliani and Sauti Sol to also keep the hearts pumping.”
Muiga assured participants that logistical considerations such as parking have also been adequately catered for: “Participants can park their cars at the Nakumatt Mega parking opposite the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi and the Moi Educational Centre. Both these parking spaces will be well secured.”
Those participating in Mombasa and Mumias, he added, should also be assured of their safety.
“It’s the second time we have runners in Mombasa and Mumias participating and as the numbers have grown, security has also been beefed up.”
The 2013 Mater Heart Run will be one of many firsts as it is the first time in the history of the run that you can contribute towards hundreds of children receiving corrective heart surgery and thousands others getting tested for heart defects through a zero-rated M-PESA Paybill number.
“Make your contribution through the M-PESA Paybill number 526300 at no extra-charge,” Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said during the launch of the 2013 Mater Heart Run.
Employers will also be able to register their domestic workers under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) pension scheme for the first time at Saturday’s run.
“Ahead of the registration deadline set for Friday next week, our officers across all our 43 branches will be at hand to conduct offsite registration at high traffic zones and locations including the Mater Heart Run. All you need is your help’s ID and mobile number,” NSSF Managing Trustee Tom Odongo said.
In the run’s 18 year history, over 3,000 children have benefitted from corrective heart surgery with 216 of those being beneficiaries of the 2012 run as were the 10, 500 tested for rheumatic heart disease in the same year.
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