Today in Astana the charity BKS Semi Marathon was launched. All funds raised at this event will be directed to project of the charity fund "AYALA" "Breathe, baby." This project aims to support children's resuscitation departments of perinatal centers of the country with modern medical equipment. Within this project vitally necessary equipment received all maternity centers  and perinatal center of Almaty, and also regional maternity and perinatal centers which are located in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Semipalatinsk, Karaganda, Atyrau, Taraz and Aktobe. Equipment for the regional perinatal center of Kyzylorda is already bought. This project “AYALA" fund performs in close cooperation with the Ministry and the regional departments of Health of Republic of Kazakhstan. Equipment which has been transferred to hospitals by charity fund "AYALA" help employees of maternity and perinatal centers save thousands of newborns’ lives.

The organizers of the semi marathon were British-Kazakh Society (British-Kazakh Society, BKS) and the Akimat of Astana city. BKS has an extensive experience in organizing such charity races, these races were held in Astana on 3 consecutive years. Semi Marathons, held by BKS, are very popular among diplomats, employees of foreign companies and joint ventures, as well as among the Kazakh businessmen and government officials. Winners will be determined in several categories - the best at the finish by both among men and women, the fastest and most enduring worker of government officials and the winner among corporate runners. Sponsors of the sport charity event were "Air Astana", «KIOGE» company and Sberbank. The charity BKS semi marathon was supported by Kazakhstan's Olympians. The event will be attended by the winners and medalists of boxing competition of London 2012 Olympic Games. This are the Olympic champion Serik Sapiyev, silver medalist Adilbek Niyazymbetov and bronze winners Ivan Dychko and Marina Volnova. Participation of our Olympians in the event - further evidence of social responsibility of Kazakh athletes. Boxers willingly signed autographs and took pictures with fans and semi marathon participants. We are sure that this example will serve to the common cause of charity organizations in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the development of this noble tradition. Executive Director Gauhar Bramley-Fenton from British-Kazakh Society said on this occasion: "We are watching with interest at the development of our idea which originated in London in 2009, and now provides healthy sprouts in Kazakhstan. We are sure that the charity and the desire to participate in it will take its rightful place in the hearts of Kazakhstan people. "

Deputy of the Head of Astana Tourism and Sport Department Kabdullin Samat said: "City Akimat for four years supports the initiative of BKS. Besides the development of physical culture and sport in our country, these activities strengthen the British-Kazakh relations. And in this year, I think the level of organization of semi marathon went to a new level. This proves the participation of the winners of Olympic Games and a large number of participants. "

"The "AYALA" fund for the first time became a beneficiary of such charity event. Especially pleasant is the support of our Olympians. Participation in charity always shows up an active citizenship, breadth of the human soul and moral maturity. And our athletes with their participation in the semi-marathon have shown these qualities. On behalf of all children and their families to who helped the project "Breathe, baby," I want to thank the organizers and participants of the sporting event, "- said vice-president of the charity fund "AYALA" Zhangeldy Sarsenov. 

During the semi-marathon in Astana and race in Almaty, which will be held on 30^th of September, where it is necessary to raise money for the purchase of modern medical equipment. 19,621,800 tenge required for the purchase of resuscitation tables, CPAP ventilators, intravenous dosing, medical scales and other equipment designed to provide high-tech care for premature infants with various diseases in children's resuscitations of Petropavlovsk Regional Perinatal Center.

The winner within the men was Yevgeny Medvednikov, Mendybay Alimgazinov and Dulat Imanhazh were followed him. The entire podium was occupied by representatives of Kazakhstan. Women podium became an international. The first place took the Kazakhstan woman Nurgul Baymendinova, the second was a Canadian Dan Semkovsky, third place took representative of the U.S. Jennifer Bochenski. Company "Air Astana" gave to Eugene Medvednikov and Nurgul Baymendinova, who took first places, a flight Almaty-London-Almaty. Among corporate runners the winner was a representative of «Kamkor Management» company, the second was runner from the Sberbank.

Pleasant event for organizers became the participation in the semi-marathon of the Minister of Finance Bolat Zhamishev. The minister is in excellent physical condition, he ran the entire distance. Together with the head, another 46 representatives from the Ministry of Finance were running. The participation of this department in a race is a great example for the employees from other ministries. 

Organizers of races and charity fund "AYALA", to which were given all the money collected in the semi marathon, express their sincere thanks to all participants, to our famous athletes and especially to those people and companies that were sponsors and partners.  But the biggest thanks to the runners who took part in the race, and descended from the race before the finish. With their example these runners have confirmed the Olympic principle "The main thing is not to win but to participate!"