Today, the charity BKS semi-marathon was organised in Astana. All funds raised at this event will be directed to the project "Breathe, baby" of the "AYALA" charity foundation. This project aims to support children's resuscitation units of perinatal centers of the country with modern medical equipment. All maternity hospitals and perinatal centers of Almaty, and also regional maternity hospitals and perinatal centers which are located in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Semipalatinsk, Karaganda, Atyrau, Taraz and Aktobe have received vitally needed equipment within this project. Equipment for the regional perinatal center of Kyzylorda is already bought. “AYALA" foundation implements this project in close cooperation with the Ministry and the regional departments of Health Care of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Equipment transferred to hospitals by charity foundation "AYALA" has helped employees of maternity hospitals and perinatal centers to save thousands of newborns’ lives.

British-Kazakh Society (BKS) and the Akimat of Astana are the organisers of the semi-marathon. BKS has an extensive experience in organising such charity races, these races have been holding in Astana for 3 years. Semi-marathons, held by BKS, are very popular among diplomats, employees of foreign companies and joint ventures, as well as among the Kazakhstani businessmen and government officials. Winners will be determined in several categories - the best at the finish among men and women, the fastest and most enduring worker among government officials and the winner among corporate runners. Sponsors of the sport charity event are "Air Astana", “KIOGE” company and Sberbank. Kazakhstan's Olympians have supported the charity BKS semi-marathon. The winners and medalists of boxing in London 2012 Olympic Games have attended the event. These 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 is further evidence of social responsibility of Kazakhstani athletes. Boxers have willingly signed autographs and taken pictures with fans and semi-marathon participants. We are sure that this example will serve to the common issue of charity organisations of the Republic of Kazakhstan - the development of this noble tradition. "We are watching with interest over the development of our idea originated in London in 2009. Now it is giving 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. " Gauhar Bramley-Fentonm an Executive Director of British-Kazakh Society, said on this occasion.

Kabdullin Samat, a Deputy Head of Tourism and Sport Department of Astana, 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 this year, I think the level of organisation of semi-marathon have gained a new level. This is proved by the participation of the winners of Olympic Games and a large number of participants. "

"The "AYALA" foundation has become a beneficiary of such charity event for the first time. The support of our Olympians is especially pleasant. Participation in charity always is a sigh of 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 whom helped the project "Breathe, baby," I want to thank the organisers and participants of the sporting event, "- said the vice-president of the "AYALA" charity foundation Zhangeldy Sarsenov. 

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

Yevgeny Medvednikov has become the winner among men; Mendybay Alimgazinov and Dulat Imanhazh have followed him. The entire podium has been occupied by representatives of Kazakhstan. Women podium became an international. Kazakhstani woman Nurgul Baymendinova has gained the first place, the second place has been taken a Canadian Dan Semkovsky, the U.S. representative Jennifer Bochenski has won the third place. The company "Air Astana" has given to Eugene Medvednikov and Nurgul Baymendinova, owners of the first places, a flight Almaty-London-Almaty. Among corporate runners the winner is a representative of «Kamkor Management» company, the second winner is a runner from Sberbank.

The participation of the Minister of Finance Bolat Zhamishev in the semi-marathon has become a pleasant event for organisers. The minister is in excellent physical condition, he has run the entire distance. Other 46 representatives from the Ministry of Finance have run together with their head. The participation of this ministry in a race is a great example for the employees from other ministries. 

Organisers of races and charity foundation "AYALA", which has received all 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 have acted as sponsors and partners.  But the biggest thanks go to the runners who have participated in the race and withdrawn before the finish. These runners have confirmed with their example the Olympic principle "The main thing is not to win but to participate!"

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