KUWAIT: In a clear message to encourage the community to take care and protect the environment, Ahli United Bank (AUB) organized its special activity "Fun Run for the Environment". This comes as part of the Bank's social responsibility program and which sets environmental care on the top of its priorities in accordance with His Highness the Amir of the state of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's vision 2035 for a new Kuwait, which emphasizes care for the environment as one of its main pillars. The event was held on Saturday, 1st December with "excellent participation from different age groups and nationalities, many Bank staff, customers and friends of AUB, who competed with an enthusiastic spirit in a fun atmosphere including participants with special needs who showed great enthusiasm to contribute to the success of this activity.

The race started at 8:00 am on Saturday, with a fun atmosphere and great interaction between the participants and supporters. From the Bank's Head Office along an urban route around the banking district the participants walked, jogged and ran for 5 KM until they reached the finish line, which was also at the AUB Head Office. At the finish line, the Bank announced the winners of the first three places for male and female runners. The male winners were: Abdurrahman Al Kanderi, Mohammed Salman and Naif Thamer. The female winners were: Taiba Al Nouri, Sara El Safty and Fatemah Al Awadhi.

Mrs Sahar Dashti, Deputy General Manager responsible for the Bank's Corporate Social Responsibility Program at AUB said: "AUB's 'Fun Run' has been solely designed to showcase our commitment towards making our environment a better place now, and for the future. We were keen to distinguish this special activity to be a clear and strong message that we must join hands and work together to preserve our environment."

Dashti added:"This event represents one of AUB's key initiatives in social responsibility to contribute to the achievement of His Highness the Amir's Vision 2035 for a new Kuwait. In addition, it also reflects the Bank's commitment in supporting activities that will advance social development in the field of raising awareness and spreading the culture of environmental work as an integral part of the Kuwaiti culture. Furthermore it also creates a spirit of competition in preserving the environment and inspires cooperation and collective responsibility among all members of society".

In a speech at the closing ceremony, Dashti went on to thank all government entities, represented by the Ministry of Interior, the Medical Emergency Department in the Ministry of Health and the Red Crescent and all those who participated and were present from the early morning and contributed to the success of this event.

Dashti further added:"AUB will donate the overall amount of participation fees to institutions who support the environment. We intend to invest in the success of this activity to continue in future and on a larger scale. We want this to be a powerful message to instill the concept of safeguarding the environment amongst all people in Kuwait. This is just part of the journey along which we can all travel."