Christchurch various Schools to be participated in upcoming VEGRUN event

In response to the "VEGRUN” Global Welfare Running" promoted by the Pure Green Foundation, the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Christchurch and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island held a running event in September. In addition to the response from the deveotees, the temple staffs and BLIA members also actively promoted it to various Christchurch school and received a positive response.

On 2 September, BLIA Committee member Kok-Wei Low went to Hornby High School in Christchurch to promote the VEGRUN event, and were received by Deputy Principal Karen Wheeler. Karen strongly supported the event and allowed 220 students from the school to participate. Hornby High School scheduled the running event for 23 September, with a route of 3 kilometers around the school field.

Three teachers from St. Thomas Boys' High School also came to the FGS Christchurch on 6 September to discuss the running event. Stephen Kennedy, the director of the Religious Studies Department, said that the school was happy to participate in the running event and expected 100 students to participate. The event will be held on 20 September at Hagley Park near the temple, with a route of 3 kilometers.

The enthusiastic participation of schools in the running event is the result of many years of hard work. In 2018, FGS NZ and BLIA North and launched the 3G4G Festival of culture sharing in Christchurch, inviting local schools to participate in teaching activities, which received a warm response. Students from Hornby High School have been participating for several years and St. Thomas Catholic School invited BLIA members to the campus to promote the value "Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings" to more than 300 teachers and students. In addition, every year during the "Laba Porridge sharing for Family and Neighbors", BLIA members would deliver porridge to the schools. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand last year and this year, BLIA members delivered prevention materials to schools, which deeply moved the schools.