Mashreq supports Emirati staff in walkathon from Abu Dhabi to Dubai

In his 8^th walkathon this year, Mashreq staff & charity fundraiser, Nasser Ibrahim successfully completed his 100km marathon from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Mashreq supported its Emirati staff with a donation of AED 35,000 for Dubai Autism Centre, which Nasser decided to raise funds for. The move comes in line with Mashreq’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, which

Nasser arrived at Mashreq’s Dubai Internet City office and branch after two days of walking from Abu Dhabi Airport. He completed 100kms in two days from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Farhan Shahid, Events & Projects Manager at Dubai Autism Centre was present to welcome Nasser at the finish line. Mashreq staff congratulated Nasser on his achievement and raising money for such a worthy cause and centre in the UAE. The donation will go towards the sustainability of the Dubai Autism Centre and raising awareness about autism in the UAE.

Farhan Shahid said: “I am impressed with Nasser’s continuous support towards the special needs sector on a personal and corporate level.” Meanwhile, Shahid thanked Mashreq for supporting the walkathon and Dubai Autism Center. He stressed on the importance of the support Dubai Autism Centre gets from its partners and the involvement of the community in achieving its goals.

Speaking after completing his eight fundraising walk Nasser said: “Firstly, I am proud to have had the opportunity to do this walkathon once again and for being able to raise awareness about Autism. Every year, I look at a different centre to offer support to and I am pleased this year it is Dubai Autism Centre. I would like thank Mashreq for their support and donation, which are valuable to continue the up-keeping of the centre and look forward to the next walkathon in 2016.”

Dubai Autism Center is a non-profit organization launched in 2001 with the main objective is to successfully integrate children with Autism into the community with focused efforts to create social awareness about Autism.

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that lasts throughout a person’s life; it affects the person’s verbal and non-verbal communications as well as imaginative play and social skills. ASD transcends social, cultural and geographic boundaries. According to recent studies, 1 out of every 88 children is affected by ASD.