The “VEGRUN Global Charity Run” event promoted by the Taiwan Pure Green Foundation, has caused a running frenzy around the world. Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Christchurch, located in the southern hemisphere, is not to be outdone, and on 20 September, the second charity run event was launched in Christchurch’s beautiful and largest Hagley Park.
80 students from St. Thomas Catholic Boys High School, led by 6 teachers, dressed in smart uniforms and shoes, gave it their all, with some running easily and others panting for breath, showing various expressions, which vivid and realistic. Over the entire 3-kilometer course, they demonstrated the vigor and vitality of a youth.
Stephen Kennedy, head of the school’s religious studies department, praised the Vegrun event which demonstrates the humanity and liveliness of Buddhism and conveys the message of caring for nature and the earth through the running event. Bernie Lee, a teacher, said that he was happy to have the students participate this event at Hagley Park, and seeing the enthusiastic Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) member encouraging the students to run, the students’ confidence increased, and they all completed the mission and received a souvenir. The teacher praised the event’s organisation, which made both teachers and students very happy.
St. Thomas students Aiden Van Der Merwe and Louie Gordon were very happy to participate in the running event, especially knowing that the purpose of the event was to convey the importance of loving the earth and coexisting with it, raising public awareness of protecting the earth and promoting sustainable development. They also put in their best effort and successfully completed the mission.
Students Jack Coulthard and Moni Avia were delighted with the running event, which allowed them to exercise and were also happy to participate in this global event, with their teachers and classmates, and contribute to protecting the earth.
On 23 September, the third VEGRUN event will be held at Hornby High School, with 200 students from Hornby High School participating. The school fully supports the running event, hoping that the students will jointly promote the greening of the environment and contribute to saving the earth through the event. On the day of the event, charity donations will be collected and donated to the New Zealand Food Bank.