• Popular breast cancer awareness & fundraising event IGNITE Pink is Punk returns to Dubai, 5th October 2018 during breast cancer awareness month
• New format includes original run & swim event on 5 October as well as new pink moonlight yoga event on 8 October – with all ages and levels welcome
• With 100 % of all proceeds going to Brest Friends, in association with Al Jalila Foundation, organizers are hoping to smash previous fundraising records
Popular breast cancer awareness & fundraising event IGNITE Pink is Punk is set to return to Dubai, Friday 5th October at the beautiful Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort bigger, better and more ambitious than ever.
Returning for its 7th consecutive year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and with registration now open- the popular run and swim event raises awareness and funds for Brest Friends in association with the Al Jalila Foundation, with 100 % of the proceeds of the event going to support breast cancer patients, support groups and ongoing research and treatment.
Organised by UAE-based group IGNITE, this year’s event will be more inclusive than ever before with a 3km fun run category added to complement the traditional run:swim format. Open to participants of all ages, the event attracts people of all levels with many participants dressing up in pink fancy dress and super hero costumes to show their support with a wide variety of spot prizes up for grabs.
In addition to the 5th October event, an 8th October Pink Moonlight Yoga event is also being held at host venue Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort.
Organisers are also hoping that 2018’s event will break attendance and fundraising records for Brest Friends – and the Al Jalila Foundation – with a goal of doubling funds raised in 2017 and enlisting over 700 participants: “In seven short years and thanks to the wonderful support of the Dubai community, IGNITE Pink is Punk has grown from a small grassroots event to what is now a festival of fun, fitness and fundraising – all in support of a truly great cause,” said Guillaume Mariole, Co-Founder and CEO of the IGNITE Group. “This year, we’re expecting more participants with a more inclusive programme and we’re encouraging all members of the community to join us in our quest to raise more money for breast cancer patients and research, than we ever have before.”
Sulaiman Baharoun, Director of Partnerships & Sustainability at Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Sports events have the power to bring communities together to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes. Al Jalila Foundation is proud to be the charity partner of IGNITE Pink is Punk Run:Swim event for the fourth consecutive year. The event, which has become a regular fixture in October to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is a perfect example of how organisations use community events as a platform to advocate for causes that touch many lives. We are proud of our partnership with IGNITE and grateful for the continued support to ‘Brest Friends’. Together, we are empowered to improving breast cancer patients’ lives across the UAE.”
Would-be participants of the 5th October IGNITE Pink is Punk event can register now online in five categories: an Open swim and run, (600m swim /3km beach and pavement run); a Sprint swim and run, (400m swim /1.6km beach and pavement run); two junior categories for participants aged 12 years old and under, and 16 years old and under (200m swim / 800m beach run) and the Fun Run, (a 3km beach and pavement run). Teams of two can register in either the Open or Sprint Swim/Run categories.
Entry fees for the 5th October event start at AED 70 for juniors and go to AED 150 for adults, AED 250 for teams. Spectators can also attend free of charge, or if they wish, contribute with a voluntary AED 150 contribution which will get them a dry fit singlet and a goodie bag. 100% of all proceeds of the event will be donated to Brest Friends in association with the Al Jalila Foundation. All participants will receive a race kit complete with goody bag with everyone participating is eligible to receive one of many exciting spot prizes thanks to this year’s line-up of generous prize and goodie bag sponsors across a variety of sectors including hospitality, food & beverage, spas, athletic wear and health care.
“People of all ages, and abilities, sports teams, work colleagues are all welcome and we’d love to see a sea of pink and some wonderful and wacky costumes on October 5th. Along with healthy competition, and thanks to the wonderful sponsors that are returning and with some new sponsors as well, there will also be some fantastic spot prizes up for grabs, but you have to be in it to win it,” added Mariole.
Among the large-scale sponsors is event Platinum Sponsor and leading global contractor, Multiplex: “The work that the Al Jalila Foundation and Brest Friends have been undertaking in the support of medical research, education, raising awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer and furthering patient support with medical treatment is a true testament to these amazing organizations and the people within it. Multiplex Constructions is deeply proud to be the main presenting sponsor for the Pink is Punk swim:run in support of these remarkable organizations,” said Petar Mladenovic, Executive Director of Multiplex LLC.
In-kind sponsors such as host venue, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort and UAE event support services company, Showforce who has supported the event since its inception through in-kind support, are also returning: “Everything about this day is good for so many reasons. All ages get to participate in the run:swim and all for a cause that has probably touched so many families in this world,” said Ian Spendlove, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Showforce.
Other companies sponsoring the event through cash donations for is wellness company, Spotchek and contractor James L Williams Middle East, who have supported the event for three years running. “I believe that the company and all its employees have a civic duty to give back to the communities where we live and work. We are proud of being a part of an event like this, raising awareness for a great cause,” said Ramy Boufarhat, Chief Operating Officer of James L Williams Middle East.
With registration open now, IGNITE is encouraging all those interested to gather friends, family or register solo online to raise funds and support breast cancer patients. Doors to the event open at 6:00 am on 5th October for pack collection and races start at 7:10 am. Participants will each receive a goody bag on the day and prizes will be given to the place winners of each category. Spectators are welcome to join with an online purchase of ticket. IGNITE’s Pink Moonlight Yoga event is also set to take place on Monday, 8th October at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort.
