Some 40 cyclists pedalled almost 20km to complete a ride for a cause, which started at 7pm in the Ras Abu Aboud bike lane in front of Doha Marriott Hotel, recently.
The triathlon team of Padyak Qatar, in co-ordination with Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR), led the “Evening Bike Cruise: Ride for a Mission”. The initiative was aimed at helping dozens of poor kids housed at the Children’s Haven orphanage in Cebu, the Philippines.
Padyak is a group of cyclists in Qatar which regularly holds bike races and ride for a cause to help those who are in dire need.
Wox Sampelo of Padyak said they want to generate funds for the orphanage, and at the same time, seek more help from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). “We simply want to help less fortunate children through our passion,” he said.
Besides donating cash, the group will hold a special party for all the children in the orphanage. The event also served as a practice and training session as the team prepares for the Iron Man 70.3 World Triathlon Championship, which will be held in Mactan, Cebu, on August 14.
Organisers of the activity, including Jeyson Baculao, Emerson Molina, Bernard Pingol, Allan San Diego and Sampelo, vowed to continue holding such rides for a cause in Qatar. “This is a good start and there will be more to follow. Like other groups, we want many children to benefit from this endeavour,” said Sampelo. They had raised about QR2,152 initially for the two-hour ride.
Some of the participants, such as Jason Hopp, said he often joins sporting activities like the Padyak races not only to stay healthy, but also to meet new friends and peers in Qatar. He works as an IT engineer.
Sheikh Farhan al-Sayed of QCR lauded the efforts of the officers and members of Padyak Qatar for organising activities for a cause. He said despite being far from their homeland, Filipinos always try to reach out to their countrymen.
Besides helping orphans and distressed OFWs, the group also plans to hold more sports activities for youth and women next month. Padyak has urged other OFWs to join the cause and help charitable institutions such as Children’s Haven.
The group has organised a number of bike races in Qatar, which has seen t he participation of many foreigners and expatriate workers.
Source :
Qatar Chronicle
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