MAKING A DIFFERENCE:(From left)UCSI Group Vice President of Student Affairs and Alumini Mr Sylvester Lim presenting the mock cheque to Ms Yanti Ismail, spokesperson for UNHCR

Kuala Lumpur, 30 June, 2012 - Hundreds of runners gathered at UCSI University for the "Miles for Lives" Charity Run in hopes to improve the quality of life for refugees under United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) through fundraising.

In conjunction with the World Refugee Day (20th June), the fundraising event raised RM15,725 in total and aimed to generate greater awareness of the struggles of the less fortunate, especially children who have been deprived of their basic rights.

All proceeds will go to welfare programmes for refugees under UNHCR, also known as The UN Refugee Agency – a United Nations agency mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide.

Sylvester Lim, UCSI Group Vice President of Student Affairs and Alumni, said: "The event is more than just raising much needed funds for a worthy cause. It nurtures appreciation for an active and healthy lifestyle, and encourages you to care for (the well-being of) others and yourself."

The 5.8 kilometre fun run was segregated into two categories by gender and the top three winners of each category were awarded with hampers for their efforts.

Much effort, sweat and tears had gone into raising funds for the event, and members of the community contributed generously without asking for anything in return.

After hearing about the cause, an international student from China, Remina, felt compelled to do something about it.

She went home, cracked open her piggy bank and donated her savings of RM46.20 to the cause, although the registration fee was only RM25.00.

At the same time, two University students, Tay Jong Shing and Lim Shu Cheng, were also applauded for their courage. Despite sustaining leg injuries, they were adamant to complete the run and refused aid from the event's organising committee.

The event received sponsorship from media sponsors such as Fly FM, One FM, Hot FM and Live Out Loud (LOL), and other co-sponsors including The Manhattan Fish Market, Brooks, Times, Salonpas, Network Foods (M) Sdn Bhd, Hotlink, Celebrity Fitness Malaysia, Yakult Malaysia, Cerebros, Sakae Sushi and Famous Amos.

More than six hundred runners – a blend of University students, alumni, staff and families – participated in the charity run.