Fun runners

31 October 2007

Pounding the pavement for charity

Thirty Rio Tinto employees were recently among 1,800 runners racing to raise money for a charity supporting the families of people affected by cancer.

Now in its 12th year, the five-kilometre PricewaterhouseCoopers corporate fun run, the Cool Night Classic, took place on Wednesday 31 October starting from the Barrack Street Jetty and ending at the UWA Club.

In total $25,000 raised from registrations was donated to Redkite WA, which provides emotional guidance, financial assistance and educational services for children and the families of people with cancer in Western Australia.

Rio Tinto team organiser Simone Legg described the event as a real success and great fun.

“It was well organised with great food and beverage options at the end.  But most importantly, it was great to participate in a fun run alongside my immediate team and other Rio employees and everyone involved had a great time,” she said.

“Thanks to the Community Investment team for supporting us in this event, which allowed us to raise much needed funds for an important Australian charity.”

Several members of the fun running Rio Tinto team

The Community Investment team supported the Rio runners, paying for their registrations, as part of the company’s recently launched Employees in the Community programme.

Team Rio Tinto – one of three initiatives under Employees in the Community – helps employees take part in community and fundraising activities they are passionate about.

Employees interested in taking part in community activities aligned with Rio Tinto’s statement of business practice - the way we work - are encouraged to form a team with 20 or more colleagues and to talk to the Community Investment team about the support available.