How to get active for charity

Dubai: As we enter into the last few months of the year and the beautiful winter weather is just on the horizon, it is time to start planning those 0utdoor activities we have been longing for. Instead of waiting to reset your fitness goals for the new year, use the refreshing months to make a dent in those resolutions that had so much promise at the beginning of the year. And while you are at it, why not also do something for charity?

Gulf for Good, the UAE non-profit organization which supports sustainable charity projects for children and promotes wellbeing through life-changing experiences, offers a range of events and activities throughout the year that allows you to not only work out in a group setting but for a good cause.

Here are some of the events to look forward to in the coming months:

• Training: Unique training opportunities to help you keep fit year-round, starting from AED 50 per session
  • Ski Dubai Snow Hike – Saturday, 4th September

• Hiking: October will see the start of the range of hiking activities that Gulf for Good is known for. Whether you are a beginner or experienced hiker, there is something for everyone, with oasis, dams, wadis, and canyons all available to explore. Hiking rates start from AED 125

• Challenges: Not for the faint-hearted but an experience of a lifetime, the Gulf for Good Challenges are something to focus your training efforts towards (starting from 6,600 AED. Certain elements are not included in the price).
  • 2021 Everest Base Camp – 29th October to 12th November 2021
  • Cycle the Eastern Emirates – 1st December to 3rd December
  • 2022 Malawi – 25th March to 1st April

• YogaFest (17th to 19th March): A sustainably managed community wellness event that brings yogis of all levels together to support great causes in a tranquil outdoor setting to raise awareness about how to live a healthy and happy life while supporting children’s charities around the region. Pre-registration is now open, with admission tickets starting from 48 AED

• soulFIT: About more than just keeping fit, it’s about the entire health, wellbeing, and enrichment of your soul while also supporting children in need. By becoming a member of the soulFIT training community for only 500 AED per year, it will grant unlimited access to the training sessions in Dubai, preferential gym rates and a free Gulf for Good t-shirt!* The cost of the membership contributes towards funding Gulf for Goods work to help children in need.

• Thrift for Good: Not a fan of fitness? Well, how about shopping for a good cause instead? Gulf for Good has excelled in diversifying its offering during the pandemic with the launch of its charity retail store Thrift for Good, reselling preloved items and donating profits to Gulf for Good charity projects. Shop online, in-store or attend one of the monthly pop-up events celebrating community, promoting sustainability & raising money for children in need.
  • Thrift for Good Palm Pop Up – 12 PM – 8 PM, Outside Thrift For Good, Building 8, Golden Mile Galleria, Palm Jumeirah
    • 17th September
    • 15th October
    • 19th November

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Gulf for Good has organized more than 91 challenges, with over 1,585 participants, in 27 countries, in support of 61 children’s charities; raising close to US$4 million to build schools, children’s homes, hospitals, and more changing the lives of countless children around the world. In 2020 alone during the midst of the pandemic crisis, Gulf for Good still managed to raise over half a million dirhams for children in need (585,000AED) and provided emergency relief and COVID support to its charity projects when they needed it the most.

To mark the 20-year celebration, Gulf for Good will also host an exhibition between mid-October and mid-November, which will showcase not only Gulf for Good’s impact during the past two decades, but also shine a light on the charities and supporters during the journey.

About Gulf for Good: Gulf for Good empowers people to change their own lives and the lives of children around the world through fundraising for sustainable projects in the developing world. In 2020, during the Covid pandemic, Gulf for Good raised more than half a million Dirhams for children in need (585,000 AED) and provided emergency relief and COVID support to its charity projects when they needed it the most. Gulf for Good celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2021, having organised more than 90 challenges, with over 1,545 participants, in 27 countries, in support of 61 children’s charities; raising close to USD$ 4 million to build schools, children’s homes, hospitals and more, changing the lives of countless children around the world. Gulf for Good is also aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and addresses current and long-term needs in developing countries around the world.

For more information, visit www.gulf4good.org