The 2016 WIK KIDZ WITH HEART Mini Olympics Reaches New Heights

Jingshan Villa’s – Shekou was once again filled with a buzz of action and activity on Saturday April 23 as CAPTIVATING ran it’s Mini Olympics event for the 5^th year.  The event, named the WIK Kidz With Heart Mini Olympics, thanks to the wonderful support of naming sponsor, WIK, was an amazing day of fun, high-5’s and passionate kids.

With race registrations fully booked several weeks before the close of applications, as well as an overwhelming response by over 150 volunteers wanting to help on the day, we knew we were set for a wonderful event. Thank you Shenzhen for such amazing support – our best yet in our 5 year event history.

This year 187 kids (5 – 11 year olds) competed in multiple Olympic-style events including soccer and basketball shoot, short and long-distance running races, three-legged race, bean bag toss, ping-pong ball delivery game, archery, long-jump and a limbo event. More than 400 parents, 150 volunteers, local schools, and multiple companies supported the event and a great day of fun and excitement was had by all.

Andrew Colquhoun’s message of thanks. “This day was all about the kids. This event keeps getting bigger each year. Financially, in excess of RMB290,000 has been being raised to support Captivating’s work in China. This event continues to show us that people have a real desire to get involved and make a difference in the world. As one of many charities activities people can choose to support, we are so fortunate to have everyone here. Today was all about fun, but tomorrow this event enables the team at Captivating to positively impact the lives of several thousand children somewhere in China and Nepal. That’s what we exist to do, and today has enabled our China team to push hard for yet another year with our wonderful registered charity partners.  The organizing committee, volunteers and sponsors have been amazing today. At Captivating, we can’t thank you enough and hope you’re with us again in 2017″.

Congratulations to all participants who each received an Olympics medal and special congratulations to the award winners who proudly received their gold, silver and bronze medals while displaying their country flags on the winner’s podium.

The success of events like the WIK Kidz with Heart Mini Olympics comes down to good organization, wonderful partners, sponsors, volunteers and a supportive school and parent community.  Once again our thanks to Claire Taylor of Snapdragon Interiors who coordinated this whole event with the support of Vivian Yuan from Captivating Shenzhen. Claire and Vivian were supported by an amazing group of volunteers and organizing partners.

Special thanks to the 150+ volunteers, group leaders and minders who kept 187 kids ordered and controlled. Tom Simpson from SCIE who MC’d for the event; the team from from Five-Star Sports for running a professional basketball competition; the medical team from Raffles Medical, and our Media Partners – that’s PRD, UrbanFamily, Shenzhen Party and Shekou Daily – all playing their part in making this a wonderful event.

As a fund-raiser, this event would not happen without our amazing corporate partners:

• our thanks to WIK who took on Naming Sponsor for this event. We are so thrilled to have your support for a third year at this event, but to take on our top level sponsorship for 2016 is a real thrill for us;
• to Greg Schultheis and AMROSIA Global Sourcing and Inspection, KidKraft and new event sponsors FUNFUL – thank you for your incredible generosity at being our three KEY EVENT SPONSORS this year.  We are thrilled to have your support;
• To China Merchants Shekou Holdings and the Jingshan management group who graciously provided to us the FREE USE of their beautiful estate, along with fantastic support to ensure the event was safe and enjoyable for children;
• To our wonderful SEGMENT SPONSORS – Green Packaging Asia, AMROSIA, Five-Star Sports, FUNFUL, SIS and QSI, your support has helped tremendously in raising important funds for the work of Captivating;
• A big shout-out to the many secondary level students at SCIE, QSI, SIS and ISNS for volunteering with event management and support;
• Likewise, to the many parents and teachers who took on volunteer responsibilities – thank you for your support;
• A huge thank-you to our food providers on the day – all who gave their time freely to us with all profits being donated to Captivating.  Amazing.  Our thanks to Dan Pippin for running a hot BBQ, Alexander’s Ice Cream and Subway;
• Our thanks also to patron supporters from Hays Recruitment.

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