VietNamNet Bridge – Saigon Children’s Charity is rolling up its sleeves to prepare for the annual charitable fun and games event; Saigon Cyclo Challenge, scheduled to take place at the Taipei International School in HCMC’s District 7 on March 7, 2009.

A racer bends to drive a pedicab to the finish line in last year’s cyclo challenge.

As always, there will be seven races throughout the day, each with plenty of cheering along the track to pump up the racers.

There will be five novelty, or industry, races. First and second place finishers in the industry races will quanlify to enter the Grand Challenge. Final, a two-lap race to find the fastest competitor of the day. One team will go home with the Grand Challenge Trophy and awards will be given for Best Dressed Cyclo, Best Cheerleaders and Best Banner.

The organizer said that in nine years, hundreds of sponsors and thousands of participants have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the education of children in need, and that the goal was to raise US$70,000 this year.

Tickets are VND250,000 for adults, VND150,000 for children under 12, and free for children under five.

Last year the Duxton Hotel team won the trophy for the third year in a row when 58 teams from companies, organizations, hotels and the media joined the charitable event.

Founded in 1992, the Saigon Children’s Charity helps disadvantaged Vietnamese children get an education and a fair start in life. It gives scholarships, provides vocational training and micro loans that enable the poorest families to make a living and educate their own children.

For more information, contact the event organizing committee at (08) 3930-3502.

(Source: SGT)