Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei, who was the Guest of Honour at this year event, took time to sensitize the crowd about the need to support the occasion.
“Corporate and individuals alike we can do even more, the fund wants to raise Sh110 million this and if 50 percent comes from the children, how about if we do ten times as corporate. These t-shirts that we are wearing if we sell 50,000 it amount to 50 million, why don’t we sell 200,000 next year,” Shollei said.
Participants at the run told Capital News that they had hoped the event would benefit as many of those affected as possible.
Acting National Social Security Fund (NSSF) CEO Anthony Omerikwa said that he feels invigorated by the growing number of participants who take part in the annual run so that others can benefit too.
“Our 5-year support of this initiative is based on our belief as the social security fund that it is within our responsibility to ensure that that beyond retirement an average Kenyan can have a decent life,” Omerikwa said
The run took place in Nairobi, Mombasa, Mumias and Machakos and Kisumu in September.
The run which has taken place annually since 2004 has so far helped close to 3,000 children from needy homes get their heart defects repaired with 81,000 screened.
The Mater Heart Run raises funds for children in need of heart surgery, and gives participants a chance to donate to the future of Kenya, while enjoying the challenges of the run.
The program seeks sponsorship through corporate bodies, schools and public participation, with each surgery costing about Sh500,000- 600,000.
Cardiac complications in children are brought about by either congenital heart disease or rheumatic disease.
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