80 blind runners join the historic Bangkok Marathon

[MARATHON] Standard Chartered Bank (Thailand) Pcl in association with Thailand Association of the Blind and the National Jogging Association of Thailand unveiled blind runners who will join a charity event "Running with 80 blind runners in the historic marathon to pay tribute to HM the King" as integrated activity of the 20th Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon scheduled to kick off on November 18.

Addressing the recent press conference held at Nai Lert Park Bangkok - a Raffles International Hotel were Gen Manas Klaimanee, president of the NJAT, Mee Har Foo, president and chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Thailand) and Monthian Buntan, president of TAB together with the charity event major sponsors, Gagan (Thailand), an exclusive distributor of New Balance sports shoes and Fitness Innovations (Thailand) Ltd.

Speaking on behalf of NJAT, the marathon's organisers, Gen Manas revealed, "Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon is the biggest international running event and also a major charity event of the country. In celebration of the auspicious occasion of HM the King's 80th birthday anniversary this year, the marathon will concurrently raise funds for HM the King's Chaipattana Foundation and also for the "Seeing is Believing" charity project of Standard Chartered Bank."

Mee Har Foo, representing the Standard Chartered Bank as the title sponsor of the marathon, meanwhile, said, "Running with 80 blind runners in the historic marathon to pay tribute to HM the King" is part of the Standard Chartered Bank's global initiative "Seeing is Believing" to commemorate the World Sight Day on the second, Thursday of October each year.

"The project aims to raise awareness of the global movement for the elimination of avoidable blindness and also raise funds to restore the sight of more than 10 million visually-impaired people across 20 countries by the end of the year 2010."

 Also present at the press conference were representatives of the blind runners namely Choolerd Khetbaan and Weerasak Tangpulphan, accompanied by their celebrity volunteer partners, well-known actor Thanongsak Supakarn (Supasub), singer Ardhawadee Jiramaneekul and Sutut Chitmonkongsuk, head of Transaction Banking, Standard Chartered Bank (Thailand) Pcl. They revealed their running experience and also demonstrate their teamwork running to the press members.

Those wishing to contribute to this good cause may donate to the Seeing is Believing dedicated account at Standard Chartered Bank under the name "SiB for the Blind" Account No 000-1-04670-8.

The Nation