2018
So Fit So Fun Run
Press Release | 2018.02.20

BMW Thailand teams up with SO Sofitel Bangkok in SO FIT SO Fun Run to raise funds for Children’s Rights Foundation, Baan Gerda Project and Hands Across The Waters

BMW Thailand – led by Mr. Lars Nielsen (left), Sales and Marketing Director– in partnership with SO Sofitel Bangkok – led by Mr. Torsten Richter (right), General Manager – shared their vision and inspiration behind SO FIT SO Fun Run hosted to raise funds for Children’s Rights Foundation, Baan Gerda Project and Hands Across The Waters to support children in need across Thailand

Bangkok. BMW Thailand in partnership with SO Sofitel Bangkok continue shared wellness initiative with SO FIT SO Fun Run to be hosted at Lumpini Park on Sunday 13th May 2018. The exciting initiative organised by Shutter Running is hosted to raise funds for Children’s Rights Foundation, Baan Gerda Project and Hands Across The Waters to support children in need across Thailand.

Race registration begins from 4:30am onwards before official race kicks off at 6am, releasing first, all 10km runners followed by 5km runners. Runners are invited to join either a 5 kilometre or a 10 kilometre race for only THB 800 with 100% of the ticket sale proceeds to go directly to Baan Gerda and Hands Across The Waters with no expense deduction.

The Race Pack for all runners is designed using canvas material and includes Under Armour Running T-shirt, Bib Number, SO Vouchers for exclusive discounts at SoSPA and Red Oven Restaurant at SO Sofitel Bangkok. Race Kit can be picked up at Social Club, 7th Floor of SO Sofitel Bangkok on Friday, 11th and Saturday, 12th May 2018 from 9am – 6pm.

Runners are invited to enjoy complimentary services on the race day with food and beverage service from our partners including Gatorade energy drinks, Mont Fleur mineral water and Nature Valley energy bars. First aid station will be available throughout the race as well as Baggage Drop and complimentary Foot Massage Tent by SoSPA.

Prizes for the runners are divided into 3 main categories both male and female: 5km Race All Runners; 10km Race Echo Boomers (runners below 40 years of age); and 10km Race Baby Boomers (runners above 40 years of age). Additional goodies include Top Speed Runner for the entire race of both 5km and 10km divided into male and female, will win a complimentary Bangkok Airways round-trip air ticket for 2 from Bangkok – Danang (Vietnam) – Bangkok with a complimentary 2-night stay at an AccorHotels property in Danang and roundtrip BMW shuttle service to and from Suvarnarbhumi airport.

SO Sofitel Bangkok with partners are also bringing amazing lucky draw prizes from all SO FIT SO Fun Run attendees with some highlights including:
 

  • Bangkok Airways round-trip air ticket for 2 from Bangkok – Phuket – Bangkok and a BMW test drive car during the entire stay in Phuket.  
  • A 10-Day SoFIT membership for 1 person valued at THB 10,000++
  • A 60-minute treatment of your choice at SoSPA for 1 person valued at THB 4,000++
  • Fashion HI-Tea at MIXO Bar for 2 persons valued at THB 5,000++
  • International Lunch Buffet at Red Oven Restaurant for 2 persons valued at THB 1,800++ (food only).
  • 1 x BMW Bike valued at THB 63,000.
  • 4 x BMW Motor Sport ice watch valued at THB 4,000 each.

The SO FIT SO Fun Run is themed to stay true to SO Sofitel Bangkok’s unique identity inspired by the 5 elements of Bangkok’s Lumpini Park: water, earth, metal, wood, and fire.

For more information about SO Fit SO Fun Run and to register, please visit www.sofit-sofunrun.com. Registration begins on Tuesday, 20th February 2018 from 9am onwards.

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ABOUT BAAN GERDA PROJECT

Baan Gerda is a small community 230 km north of Bangkok located in the Lopburi Province, where 85 HIV infected and affected orphans live and receive medical treatment in family houses under the care of foster parents. It is a project of the Children’s Rights Foundation, a Bangkok-based non-profit organization.

Children orphaned by AIDS who are HIV positive often end up in the most pitiful situation imaginable. They are less likely than others to find shelter in their extended families, and can be outcasts in their own communities. Most state orphanages and other charitable institutions have not responded to their needs for life-saving drugs, for the love and care of a family structure, and for education.

In the beginning, Baan Gerda aimed simply to ease the suffering of kids with AIDS in whatever life remained to them – in other words, they were a hospice operation. As better medicine became available, however, and as the organization gained more financial support from donors, it became possible for Baan Gerda to provide long-term care. Little did they imagine that one day they would admit children in an advanced stage of AIDS and that they would be able to nurse them back to health.

Baan Gerda is the only organization in Thailand that provides family-style homes for orphans, as well as comprehensive HIV care. Baan Gerda believes this structure plays a great role in the recovery and continued health of our children and that a unique family environment with foster parents looking after the children daily needs. They all attend school or kindergarten, while their foster parents take care of housekeeping and handicraft production. A medical team is on hand to also ensure that the children receive the best treatment and medicine.

Help get behind Baan Gerda, please visit http://www.baangerda.org/ to see how you can help.

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ABOUT HANDS ACROSS THE WATER

Hands Across The Water was founded by Peter Baines after he witnessed the devastation and aftermath of the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004. Originally tasked with housing 50 orphaned children in the badly hit Baan Tharn Namchai region, Hands Across The Water now provides a home and education to more than 350 children throughout Thailand, whilst continuing to support over 40 young adults through university education. The homes managed by Hands Across The Water are for children that have no other option in life, providing them with a place to be loved, an education, and ultimately when the time comes to leave, a choice for their future.

Thailand rides and treks are the main fundraising source for Hands Across The Water who operates a social enterprise to cover all administrative costs, which ensures that 100% of every dollar donated or fundraised goes directly to the children and projects in Thailand.

Visit http://handsgroup.com.au to see more information and how you can help.

Help get behind our SO FIT SO Fun Run in supporting BaanGerda and Hands Across The Water by registering for SO FIT SO Fun Run here www.sofit-sofunrun.com

For more information call SO Sofitel Bangkok at +66 (0) 2-624-0000 or email h6835@sofitel.com

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The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles and more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. As of 31 December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

BMW Group Thailand

BMW Group Thailand, a subsidiary of BMW AG, Germany, was established on the 3rd October 1998. The three entities of BMW Group Thailand include BMW (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for wholesales & marketing of BMW Group products, BMW Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad local production, and BMW Leasing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for financial services offerings to both wholesale and retail customers.

In 2017, BMW Group Thailand achieved a historic sales record with 11,030 BMW and MINI vehicles delivered to customers from January to December 2017, an increase of 39% year-on-year and the first-ever 5-digit sales figure in the company’s history. BMW Motorrad also had the best-ever record with 2,001 motorcycle deliveries, 10% higher than the same period last year. These milestones have made 2017 the most successful 12-month period for all of BMW Group Thailand’s three business units – with BMW Thailand in particular posting the highest growth rate across BMW Group’s global network at 43%.

On the production side, the BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand plant was founded on BMW Group’s strong belief in the growth potential of Asian markets and Thailand in particular with its unique location, strong manufacturing base, and ready supply of skilled automotive labor, being an automotive hub for ASEAN.

On-going investment has been put into the expansion of plant Rayong in terms of assembling processes, aiming to meet growing customer demand. In addition, with approximately 4 billion Thai Baht representing the amount of annual purchasing in Thailand, the BMW Global Purchasing office has been established in Thailand. This is to source various components from local suppliers in Thailand and the broader ASEAN region, in order to supply the entire BMW production network of 31 production and assembly facilities, located in 14 countries worldwide.

As of 2017, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand produces the following 17 models: BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X1, BMW X3, BMW X4 and BMW X5. For BMW Motorrad the BMW F 800 R, BMW F 800 GS, BMW F 700 GS, BMW R 1200 GS, BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, BMW S 1000 R, BMW S 1000 RR and BMW S 1000 XR are also locally assembled at the plant. In addition, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand now assembles four BMW plug-in hybrid models; BMW 330e, BMW 530e, BMW X5 xDrive40e and BMW 740Le.

Starting from May 2016, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand’s assembly line capability has been expanded for the purpose of exporting the BMW X3 and BMW X5 to China as well.

For further information, please contact:
BMW Group Thailand
1-800-269-269
www.bmw.co.th
www.mini.co.th
www.bmw-motorrad.co.th

Media Contacts:
Carl Byoir & Associates
Suthatip Boonsaeng (08-7685-1695 or0-2627-3501 ext.102)
Thornthawat Thongnab (08-3225-4567 or 0-2627-3501 ext.206)
Pichanan Toonkamthornchai (08-5157-7557 or 0-2627-3501 ext.101)
sboonsaeng@carlbyoir.com, tthongnab@carlbyoir.com, ptoonkamthornchai@carlbyoir.com

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