Jumeirah College students take up challenge to 'Run for Sight' at Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 09

Spearheading the Jumeirah College 'Running for Sight' team will be 15 year old Fun Run enthusiast, Dan Lee, who is also the school's Chair of the Seeing is Believing Committee. Dan has taken part in the Dubai Marathon every year since 2004.

"The Committee will be helping the team to get themselves ready for what will be our fifth Dubai Marathon. The team is made up of 11 - 17 year olds, parents and some staff who will all be wearing 'Running for Sight' t-shirts and Seeing is Believing wrist bands,"

said Dan.

"My family and I moved to Dubai five years ago, and I have continuously raised donations through the school for 'Seeing is Believing' - Standard Chartered's global initiative to restore sight to 10 million people around the world. In 2004, the school raised over Dhs21,000. We are all really excited to run again in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon and I believe that we will raise even more money this year than what we raised in 2004. In the lead up to the Dubai Marathon we have already raised over Dhs12,000 and we will be hosting other events at the school, including bake sales and some competitions."

Dan continued: "Year 11 at Jumeirah College is leading the campaign. We thought that Seeing is Believing was a good choice for a charity initiative because it gave students from all year groups a chance to participate in an event supporting a very beneficial cause."

Dan's father, Fred Lee, is Standard Chartered's Regional Head of Global Markets for Africa based at the DIFC, Dubai, "As a leading international bank, Standard Chartered's title sponsorship of the Dubai Marathon will once again encourage schools in the local community to run in a premier event and make a difference to the lives of 6000 people. Seeing is Believing has an important role to play in many poorer urban societies, including those in Africa, by helping to provide medical assistance to those suffering from visual impairment."

"The Dubai Marathon is all about extending yourself on a personal level and I am proud that close to 2000 participants will be 'Running for Sight' in the 3km on the day. It's great having our local schools involved as they, along with our other amateur runners, sum up what the run is all about - high-performing enthusiasts or marathon debutants coming together to enjoy a fun run in support of a fantastic cause,"

added Shayne Nelson, Standard Chartered's Regional CEO for the Middle East and North Africa.