A virtual run and city clean-up activity is how QNET Hong Kong chose to practice their call to RYTHM despite 2020 being a tough year. Not be deterred by the COVID-19 Pandemic, QNET Hong Kong gave back to their local communities in a Covid-safe way. Instead of running as they would’ve during pre-Covid times, participants were encouraged to run anywhere in their local area or on a treadmill using any tracking app. The cleanup activity had to be in green areas like local parks, hiking trails and local beaches.
QNET staff and volunteers participated in the Run For Survival by the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK), a run sponsored by our very own RYTHM Foundation. To take our RYTHM activities to the next level, staff and volunteers also cleaned up the city while doing the virtual run.
What Is ‘Run For Survival’?
Organised by OPCFHK, the Run for Survival is a family-friendly obstacle race where you clear rubbish and debris as you finish your run. This year, the run changed from a physical race to a virtual race to keep things safe while also making a difference. Volunteers could run at their convenience and submit photos. The virtual run was tracked using a tracking device as well. The aim of Run For Survival is to raise awareness on the threats to ocean and wildlife caused by disposable plastic. All donations go towards OPCFHK’s Asian wildlife conservation projects.
QNET’s Contribution
RYTHM Foundation was one of the sponsors of the Run For Survival fundraising campaign. Around 95 volunteers from QNET that included staff, volunteers, friends and family participated in the event and did their bit to Raise Yourself To Help Mankind. The participants from QNET’s side included QNET CEO Malou Caluza, QNET Executive Chairman Richard Zinkiewicz, and QI Director of Finance and Planning Cathy Zhou, alongside 95 staff, IRs and their family members.
In addition to the run, our QNET family also helped do a city-cleanup session to help the local community. The most common item found throughout the city were cigarette butts, followed by disposable plastic and masks.
It has been an honour and privilege to be able to do something and make a positive change whatever the challenges we face. The virtual run and cleanup activities were our way of giving back to the communities in the face of that.