IF, May 24, 2010

World record breakers IF charity helps change lives for thousands of children in Gaza

Exactly a year after the Gaza 100 World Record Run, two reports published by Save the Children detail the contribution made by IF charity and its donors to its work in Gaza. Over £70 000 was raised at the event in May 2009 where 1675 participants exceeded all expectations by breaking the world record for, “the most people running 100 meters in a 12-hour relay.” (Guinness Book of Records official title).

The first report entitled, “Improving the lives of disabled children in Gaza”, outlines the contribution by IF that has bettered the lives of 702 children and 422 parents living in the Jabalia Refugee Camp in Gaza.

Highlights of some of the achievements included:-

• The delivering of 280 home-based physiotherapy sessions and support to 130 children aged between 2 and 18 who have disabilities helping to ensure their development.

• Providing 32,319 items of medical supplies to 505 children.

• The distribution of 84 technical aids – including wheelchairs, air mattresses and crutches - to 67 children with disabilities.

• Providing 206 psycho-social support sessions to 60 mentally ill children and their families.

• Conducting 20 disability awareness workshops attended by 422 women, increasing awareness of the issues faced by children with disabilities.

The second report, “ Helping children learn and develop in Gaza”, outlines how Save the Children and IF have been working to provide essential support to children and families to ensure they receive a quality education in a safe environment. This project was carried out in 24 kindergartens in the Gaza Strip.

8,333 children and their families were reached by the family literacy programme helping parents to support their children.

The family literacy programme was set up to help parents support their children within preschools in the most vulnerable areas of the Gaza Strip.

The programme helped over 6,030 children and empowered parents to act as the first teacher to their pre-school children helping them to develop skills, knowledge and positive behaviour. It also developed the capacities of staff working in Gazan pre-schools, helping them to offer cultural, educational and recreational activities for children and their parents.
Rizwan Khaliq, CEO of IF charity, said 'These results are fantastic but there is no room for complacency. Last year we inspired ordinary people in the UK to do something different for Gaza. This year we will be taking the Gaza 100 directly to Gaza itself. We are inspired by these results to do even better this time round. There's a great deal more that still needs to be achieved'.

Notes:

To view the reports in full and for images of the projects in Gaza please click on here.
Gaza 100 – World Record Run – Let your feet do the talking!, took place on 23rd May 2009 at Mile End Park Stadium in London.

For further information about IF charity please visit www.ifcharity.com

For media enquiries, please contact Ruhul Tarafder at ruhul@ifcharity.com or on 0207 858 2020 / 07956 398739
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