Seeing the light

BIG C SUPERCENTER and the Low Vision Association (Thailand) are joining hands for the second year to organise a mini marathon in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 60th birthday and to raise funds to support youngsters suffering from visual impairment.

“Low vision at an early age and particularly in kids from 0 to 6 years old, can be treated if the child’s visual development is properly stimulated. Although it never develops to a normal level, their vision can be effectively improved and permanent vision loss can be minimised. Similarly, low vision in adults can be treated by using special glasses or other optical devices, which maintain a certain level of vision for as long as possible. This means a better quality of life for people with low vision,” says Araya Pramojanee, president of the Low Vision Association (Thailand).

“The main objective is to campaign for a better public understanding of low vision so as to generate greater awareness of visual health in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s policy on the worldwide prevention of blindness. We also want to encourage people to take care of their health by doing regular exercise,” she adds.

 “Part of our corporate mission is to be more than a retailer. We always integrate social contributions and community wellbeing into our operations, especially by helping the underprivileged and people with disabilities in any way that makes their lives better,” says Warunee Kitjaroenpoonsin, director of corporate affairs of Big C.

The association, which comes under the auspices of the Ratchasuda Foundation, is working hard to support an increasing number in members and to that end is hoping to open the Joy Centre to provide initial aid to children with low vision by the end of the year. It is also aiming to complete its Low Vision Service Centre, which will provide consultations, demonstrate the assistive devices and technologies available to help people with low vision, and serve as a library.

The mini marathon, which starts on Rama IV Road, features a 10-kilometre run, a three-kilometre run for those who simply want to improve their health and a 1.07 km (999 steps) walk for 60 pairs made up of one person with low vision and one person with normal vision. The winners will receive a trophy while participants who cross the finishing line will be rewarded with a Ratchasuda Foundation medal.

“It’s a great opportunity to support a good cause and help set up the Joy Centre to provide initial aid to children with sight disabilities,” says actress Khemanit “Pancake” Jamikorn. The Bt360 entry fee includes a purple Phufa T-shirt printed with the Princess’s hand-drawn picture. Registration for the mini marathon is available at all branches of Big C as well as the Thai Jogging Club and the Low Vision Association (Thailand).

All proceeds will be presented |to the Princes as chairperson of the foundation to benefit the association.

 

>>The mini marathon will be held at Big C Rama IV on May 17 from 5am to 10am.

>>For more information, contact 1756.