Allwyn is ecstatic to back the Wings for Life World Run once more in 2024! Occurring on May 5th, this extraordinary event sees all registration costs and contributions going straight towards spinal cord injury studies.
As a worldwide collaborator, the UK National Lottery administrator is making every effort to publicize the run and gather as many funds as feasible. Their aim is to expand upon the impressive €43 million (approximately $45.8 million!) amassed in 2023 for innovative research and clinical testing.
A key highlight of the Wings for Life World Run is its welcoming nature – individuals of all capabilities are encouraged to join. Pavel Turek, Allwyn’s Global Brand, Corporate Communications and CSR head, expressed it flawlessly: “Allwyn is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and contributing to the community, which aligns seamlessly with the objective of the Wings for Life World Run.” He continued, “We are honored to be an official global associate of this distinctive and motivating event for the second year running.”
So, what distinguishes this race? There’s no predetermined finish line! Rather, a virtual “Catcher Car” departs 30 minutes post-start, progressively gaining speed as it advances. Once it passes you, your race concludes. This establishes a fair environment, with everyone, regardless of using a wheelchair, strolling, or sprinting, engaging in the same global race until the final participant is overtaken.
With the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris drawing near, it’s an opportune moment to advocate for inclusivity in athletics,” stressed Nick Webborn, head of the British Paralympic Association. He further underscored the organization’s objective: “to foster a more inclusive and just world for individuals with disabilities, through the influence of athletics.”
Webborn lauded the synergy between this objective and the principles underpinning the Wings for Life World Run, an event backed by Ottobock. He observed how the event, which promotes engagement from people of all capabilities, embodies the transformative potential of sports.
Ottobock, a firm specializing in prosthetics and healthcare technology, is heavily invested in the endeavor. Upwards of 7,000 Ottobock staff globally will be joining the run, along with other participants from Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, the UK, and the US.
Mark Hermans, head of the Wings for Life World Run, conveyed his personal link to the cause: “I’ve witnessed firsthand the effects a spinal cord injury can have on an individual’s life.” He expressed appreciation for the backing of Ottobock and participants worldwide, stating that their joint endeavor brings them nearer to bettering the lives of those impacted by spinal cord injuries.
In separate news concerning corporate social accountability, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) declared that the 2024 UK National Racehorse Week charitable wagering day generated over £1.5 million (roughly $1.86 million) for a variety of philanthropic endeavors.