(VNF) - More than thousands of people participated in Hanoi Run for Children 2016 (HRC) in the Thong Nhat Park on December 11^th to raise funds for the treatment of disadvantaged children with cancer and congenital heart diseases.

More than thousands of people participated in Hanoi Run for Children 2016 on Sunday (Dec.11^th).

The 16^th edition of the event, which started in 2000 is an annual social, charity and humanitarian activity hosted by the Canadian Embassy in Viet Nam, the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations and the Viet Nam-Canada Friendship Organisation under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, and social organisations and businesses in the capital city.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health, President of Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association Nguyen Viet Tien said the meaningful event creates the venue for people to meet and encourage disadvantaged children with cancer and heart diseases.

The event also shows the friendship between between people of Hanoi and Vietnam in general and Canada as well as international friends, he added.

Several celebrities took part in this year’s run, including People’s Artist Le Khanh, Miss Vietnam 2016 Do My Linh, actor, MC Phan Anh and football player Hoang Vu Samson. Especially, weightlifter Le Van Cong, first Vietnamese Paralympic gold medallist in Rio 20016, participated in the event.

People’s Artist Le Khanh, Miss Vietnam 2016 Do My Linh, MC Phan Anh, weightlifter Le Van Cong and football player Hoang Vu Samson took part in this year’s run.

The HRC this year has raised more than VND 1.5 billion (USD 66,470) for cancer research and assisted treatment of underprivileged children with cancer and congenital heart disease.

All the money will be donated for cancer and heart disease treatment of patients at the Vietnam National Hospital of Paediatrics, Hanoi Heart Hospital and the Heart Beat Vietnam programme./.

The cutting ribbon ceremony of the run.

Manulife Vietnam presented the donation to HRC’s Organizing Committee.

Funds was raised through participant cash donations, the sale of t-shirts and food, and corporate sponsorship.

The HRC fundraising event is now considered a fall tradition in the capital city that draws both expatriates and Vietnamese citizens.

The run is not a race, running and walking are both great as long as you're involved.

Minh Phuong