Dubai Maritime City provides a helping hand to ‘The Walk for Autism’
Dubai Maritime City, the world’s largest and the most comprehensive maritime complex in the world, extended its support to the ‘The Walk for Autism’, held between January 3 and 15, 2007.
The 500km Walk was undertaken by UAE national Jalal Bin Thaneya and was aimed at raising awareness about Autism.
Proceeds from the sponsorship support for the Walk was given to the Dubai Autism Centre (DAC) — the largest and the most comprehensive non-profit organisation in the UAE serving children with Autism spectrum disorders. Dubai Maritime City’s sponsorship backing to the Walk epitomises its support to the local community and the various non-profit organisations in the country.
The 13-day Walk started in Sweihan, north of Abu Dhabi, and moved through Al Ain, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai and then back to Abu Dhabi. Main roads were used as they provided a safer and more direct route. Mr Bin Thaneya walked for nine hours straight between 8am and 5pm, and covered approximately 40km each day.
Talking about the Maritime City’s commitment to the social cause, Ahmed Bin Hareb, Assistant Sales Manager, said: ‘We are privileged to extend our support to the ‘Walk for Autism’ undertaken by Mr Jalal Bin Thaneya. This endeavour was aimed at lending a helping hand to children who are determined to meet their highest potential despite unique challenges. Helping these autistic children become the best is a privilege and Dubai Maritime City is honoured to be part of such a worthy pursuit.’
He added: ‘This support to Mr Bin Thaneya and the DAC is integral to our commitment to extend the best to society. The DAC is committed to successfully integrating children with Autism into the community through its holistic approach to intervention and therapies. It is our responsibility to extend our support and encourage the efforts of Mr Bin Thaneya and DAC towards such an initiative and assume our responsibility in achieving this goal.’
Thanking the support of Dubai Maritime City, Mr Jalal Bin Thaneya said: ‘On behalf of Dubai Autism Centre, I thank and appreciate the support extended by the Dubai Maritime City. This support will go a long way in helping us in our efforts to providing specialist services for people with Autism and those who care for them. These autistic children are less fortunate than us, so it is important to try and raise awareness about them and that they should be treated with proper care and respect they deserve.’
Once complete, Dubai Maritime City will be the first-ever purpose-built city designed to specifically serve and enhance the global maritime community. It will offer an exceptional mixed-use environment covering every aspect of industrial, commercial and leisure requirements for the maritime industry.
