More than 2,000 participants gathered to be heroes for nine underserved schools in Johor
 

JOHOR BAHRU, April 13 (Bernama) -- The serene park of Hutan Bandar Mutiara Rini on Saturday morning came alive as over 2,000 participants walked the scenic route and enjoyed activities and performances during the event of Tesco Walk for Kids 2019, organized by Tesco Malaysia.

The charity walkathon held at Tesco Mutiara Rini where families, children, students, teachers and local community walking a 3km and running a 5km scenic route within the hypermarket compound and the park vicinity. The Walk for Kids is a Tesco annual fundraising event to support nine underserved schools in Johor, as part of the Tesco – PINTAR Foundation School adoption programme. 

This year, the event raised more than RM470,000 of funds from participation fees, cash donations and in-kind contribution from over 27 Tesco’s business partners and suppliers. All contributions will be channelled fully to support Tesco’s adopted schools, SK Taman Puteri Wangsa, SK Taman Universiti 2, SK Taman Molek, SK Tanjung Puteri, SK Taman Rinting 1, SK Taman Pelangi, SK Seri Pandan, SK Kota Masai and SJKT Ladang Kulai Besar.

“Following the success of our previous Walk for Kids events in KL and Ipoh, we are delighted to bring the event to Johor in support of our nine adopted schools to raise funds for their school infrastructure, health and wellness, as well as student welfare programmes. Our three-year effort has raised more than RM1.2 million in participation fees, cash donations and in-kind contribution from Tesco's colleagues, customers, business partners and suppliers. All proceeds will go towards helping our adopted schools do more for our adopted school children,” said Paul Ritchie, CEO of Tesco Malaysia.
 
Tesco Walk for Kids 2019 was flagged off by Paul Ritchie accompanied by PINTAR Board of Trustees, Sabri Abdul Rahman; Deputy Director of Special Project, Johor State Education Department, Muhd Shakirin Muhd Shah; Tesco Malaysia’s Corporate Services Director, Azliza Azmel and Tesco Southern Region Store Director, Jayakumar Govindan. The flag-off was also accompanied by the rhythmic sounds from DeafBeat Malaysia, the talented, self-taught, hearing impaired group of drummers who play by ‘feeling’ the vibrations of pounding drums.

The first 1,000 finishers of the 5km run category received a limited edition medal and the top 3, received a cash prize of RM1,000, RM500 and RM250 respectively. All the participants received goodie bags upon completing the walk and were entertained by dance performances by several of the adopted schools.

Other activities includes physical challenges from hula hoops to pistol squats where participants had to complete the challenges for a chance to spin the wheel and win great prizes. Participants also had a chance at lucky draw prizes worth more than RM10,000, which includes a Samsung 55’ inch Smart Ultra HD TV, Oppo F9 and GoPro Hero 7.

In addition to the great support by the Malaysian community, a number of corporate companies also contributed towards this cause. Mr. DIY came forward as Platinum sponsor and KFC as Silver sponsor for this year’s event. Other sponsors include Nestle, Unilever, Kellogg’s, Gardenia, F&F Clothing, Faber Castell, Staedtler, Jungheinrich, Seven Castle Children Playground, Safeguard, Happyland, Arkitek LLA and many more.

“Today’s event is only possible with the help of our customers, our community as well as our partners. Our biggest appreciation goes to all our sponsors who have come forward to contribute cash, products as well as in kind contributions. The support given by PINTAR Foundation, the Johor Department of Education, teachers and parents are also invaluable in making this event a great success,” added Ritchie.
 
With the school adoption programme well into its third year, Tesco has contributed over RM3.7 million for its 63 adopted schools nationwide. In 2018, Tesco organized their signature Junior Smart Shopper programme that has benefitted 500 students from 11 adopted schools in teaching the children on the consumer education awareness programme to advocate smart consumer habits.

About Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
 
Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is a joint-venture company between Tesco PLC and Sime Darby Berhad. Tesco PLC is one of the world’s largest international retailers with operations in 11 countries, employing over 440,000 people and serving millions of customers every week.  Across its operations worldwide, Tesco believes in serving its shoppers a little better every day.
 
Tesco Malaysia, established in May 2002 with its first hypermarket in Puchong, Selangor, today continues to deliver excellence in areas that matters most to Malaysian customers from service, diverse product range and quality to great prices and store environment.  Tesco employs over 8,000 Malaysians and operates 58 stores throughout Peninsula Malaysia. In 2013, Tesco paved the way in online grocery shopping with the launch of its online Grocery Home Shopping service, offering even greater convenience to customers in the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Bahru.


SOURCE : Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : Jida Mohamed
Head of Communications & CSR
Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Mobile : 012.231.8602 
Email : rohazida.mohamed@my.tesco.com 

Name : Vivian Chook
Communications Executive
Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Mobile : 012.3999.218 
Email : vivian.chook@tesco.com 

--BERNAMA