Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre students display sporting skills during spring sports

The sporting fun day, which encouraged the students to be active, work in teams and learn new skills; included a range of sporting events such as running races and a tug-of-war, followed by fun activities and a bazaar led by therapists, teachers, senior students, and supported by P&G's employees.

Mariam Othman, Director of the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre explained the importance of hosting such days. She said, "Our work revolves not only around encouraging students to be active and healthy, but also in promoting and teaching them significant skills such as team work, engaging with others, and actively going after their goals; in a forum that is outside of the classroom environment."

On conclusion of the day's activities, special guest Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) officiated at the awards ceremony, presenting medals, trophies and prizes to the day's winners. Speaking after the ceremony she said, "It is a pleasure to be invited to such an event and participate in and witness the fantastic work that the centre does on a daily basis. At RTA, we make provisions to ensure that our services are available to all members of the community, and an event like this highlights how important it is that we all play a part to ensure that Dubai celebrates and is proud of the diversity of its people."

P&G's support of the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre's sports and fun day comes as part of the company's recent partnership with the centre, and P&G's launch of its 'Create Heroes' campaign, which is aimed at supporting children and adults with special needs throughout the region across a number of platforms. P&G tied up with Special Olympics towards the end of 2008 to encourage children and adults with special needs in the Arab world to develop physical fitness and build self esteem.

"Our support of the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre and our unique Create Heroes campaign demonstrates the fact that as a company, we are committed to the communities that we operate in," said Wael Al Jamil, Brand Manager, P&G Arabian Peninsula. "As part of our partnership with the centre and through the Special Olympics initiative, it sends a very clear message that we all have a role to play in encouraging and promoting greater integration and homogeneity of every individual member of this great community."

Support and sponsorship was additionally provided by the Children's Hope Foundation and United Computers.

Mariam Othman concluded, "Our spring sports and fun day was a great success thanks to all of the hard work of the centre's staff, and thanks to the valuable contributions made by companies and individuals across our local community. The students and our staff all look forward to similar fun events in the future."

The Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre works to provide high quality, integrated education services and therapies for children with special needs. By developing children's abilities to function and learn within their environments; home, school, and in the community, they are able to develop maximum independence and participation in these environments.