The seventh annual Financial Industry in Tokyo (FIT) For Charity Run took place on November 6th at Tokyo’s National Kasumigaoka Stadium and once again set records for participation, as 7,447 individuals from 111 financial services and related organisations came together to raise approximately JPY68 million for local causes.
Donations raised from this year’s event will be equally divided among ten local non-profit organisations in the Kanto and Tohoku regions.
Hiroyuki Kobayashi, co-chairperson of FIT For Charity Run 2011 Organising Committee, said: “FIT For Charity Run has been positively contributing to the Tokyo community since 2005. This year, not only do we support local Kanto NPOs but also NPOs conducting restoring and rebuilding efforts in the Tohoku region. Again this year FIT has set new records for number of companies and participants. This is a true testament to the ability of the financial industry to bond together to make a significant impact to our local community organisations.”
Co-chairperson Weronika Anasz added: “While the role of non-profit organisations in solving local issues is increasing, particularly following the Great East Japan Earthquake, FIT For Charity Run’s fund raising ability can be more meaningful. The continued support from volunteers from participating companies and the generous support of in-kind donors enable FIT For Charity Run to donate a high percentage of funds raised directly to the charities.”
You can find out more about this year’s charities here, and full race results here.
We received an update from Meisei Gakuen, (FIT2010 beneficiary charity) on how they are putting their FIT funding to use.
Meisei Gakuen is the first school in Japan for hearing-impaired children to conduct all classes in sign language. We operate as a private but free school, renting the school buildings of a previously closed primary school from Shinagawa Ward. In these facilities there are limited play areas and much of the play ground equipment is aging and not-usable. The children have long talked of having a play area they can call “their house”.
With the money received from FIT, we are realizing this dream. The donation was passed to the middle school Student Council and they commenced by running a workshop with their peers and the primary school students to bring their “FIT House” dream to life. Professional architects attended the workshop and building upon the ideas from the children we are able to progress towards completing the FIT House Project by March 2012.
FIT House is on its way to being a symbol of Meisei Gakuen, where the children are the focus. We are deeply appreciative of FIT’s support for enabling us to realize the children’s dream.
Saito Michio, Principal – Meisei Gakuen.
The FIT For Charity 2011 Organising Committee have announced the 10 charities the organisation will be supporting in 2011. After a thorough review, these NPOs have been chosen for the vital work they do in Kanto and areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Kanto
Great East Japan Earthquake
The FIT committee revealed their 2011 event T-shirt design. The ‘hanko-stamp, FIT for Japan’ graphic reflects the fact that due to the unprecedented damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, FIT will be supporting local community organisations in both Tohoku and Tokyo this year.
The seventh annual Financial Industry in Tokyo (FIT) For Charity Run will take place on Sunday, November 6, 2011. It brings together the financial community and related industries to make a difference to our community by raising money for local community organisations. FIT For Charity Run 2011 Organising Committee will be supporting the restoration of the affected areas caused by the unprecedented damages of the recent Eastern Japan earthquake disaster. Rebuilding the destroyed areas require a long-term continuous support, together with the cooperation of the Tokyo metropolitan non-profit organisations and the engagement of non-profit orgnaisation support activities. The event will be held at the National Kasumigaoka Stadium and the outer garden of Meiji Shrine (Meiji-jingu Gaien) in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, with special support from the Japan Cycling Association (JCA) and the National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health (NAASH).
We will be offering participants the chance to take part in the following events: 10km run, 5km fun run, 2.5km walk, 4×100m inter-company relay and kids sprint.
Those working in the financial industry or in financial-related sectors and their families and friends can participate in the event. Participation requires companies to register and to manage applications from its employees.
Date: Sunday, 6 November 2011 (rain or shine)
Time: 09:00 – 13:00
Venue: National Kasumigaoka Stadium and the Outer Garden of Meiji Shrine (Meiji-jingu Gaien), in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
(closest stations: Sendagaya or Shinanomachi Station on JR Sobu Line; Kokuritsu-kyogijo Station on Toei Oedo Line and Gaienmae Station on Ginza Line)
Programme:
| |
|
| 09:10 |
10km run (4 laps) |
| 10:30 |
5km fun run (2 laps) |
| 11:20 |
2.5km walk (1 lap) |
| 11:30 |
4×100m inter-company relay race (inside the stadium, maximum 32 teams, with no more than one team per company) |
| 12:20 |
Kids sprint (inside the stadium) |
| 12:40 |
Awards ceremony |
