Rob Burns, Mariam Othman, Abdul Wahab Al Halabi and Vitor Carvalho pose for a picture with students of Rashid Centre for People of Determination.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Rashid Centre for People of Determination and The First Group have joined hands to launch ‘7 Emirates Cycle Challenge’ to mark the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

With an aim to enrich young lives through sustained educational support programmes, the inaugural edition of the 7 Emirates Cycle Challenge will get under way on December 9 and run until December 12.

Starting from Al Qudra in Dubai, cyclists taking part in 7 Emirates Cycle Challenge will pedal their way across all the seven emirates of the country to raise awareness and support for the Rashid Centre for People of Determination.

The invite-only challenge will see athletes, C-Suite executives and entrepreneurs participating in the tournament.

Also joining the ride will be elite members of the sport – Sanchez ‘Samu’ Samuel, former Spanish professional road bicycle racer and Vitor Carvalho, retired pro-cyclist and former member of the UAE National Olympic Cycling Committee.

Carvalho, who runs a Ride Bike Shop in Dubai after quitting the professional racing, said: Rob Burns, CEO and Partner of The First Group, is a good friend of mine and I was impressed with the objective behind the event. That’s why I decided to join 7 Emirates Cycle Challenge’. I and Samuel both like such initiatives.”

The inaugural four-day event will support the Rashid Centre with scholarships for students to attend the center’s secondary school, which provides teens with vocational training in a practical learning environment. For over two decades,

The Rashid Centre has been recognized for its approach to special needs education, and currently is merging therapy and education to teach children life skills while helping them gain academic qualifications.

“The UAE is a country that provides tolerance and inclusivity, and our partnership with The First Group reflects this message. We are pleased to witness this initiative take place which seeks to raise awareness and play a positive role in providing people of determination with life-changing opportunities that will also help them overcome the challenges they face,” said Mariam Othman, CEO, Rashid Center for People of Determination.

“We are honored to partner with the Rashid Center for People of Determination to continue our commitment to enrich young lives. The 7 Emirates Cycle Challenge is very close to our hearts and is focused on spotlighting the wonderful work that Rashid Centre does for people of determination.

Being our first year, it is incredible to have the event coincide with the UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations and is a testament to our mission of creating a lasting and positive impact in the UAE community in line with the leadership’s five-year strategy for People of Determination,” said Rob Burns, CEO and Partner, The First Group.