Hong Kong Tens tournament teams up with Make-A-Wish to help sick kids
Organisation named 2016’s official charity for the popular pre-Sevens rugby tournament at HKFC
This year’s Hong Kong Tens tournament will help children with life-threatening medical conditions after Make-A-Wish Hong Kong was appointed official charity.
The charity helps grant the wishes of severely ill children – from meeting their heroes and taking trips to fulfilling long-held ambitions – and will receive proceeds from the entrance fees and all on-site donations at the GFI HKFC Tens, which will be held at Hong Kong Football Club from 6-7 April, immediately before the Hong Kong Sevens.
Lisa Foley, organising committee chairman, said in a statement: “The GFI HKFC Tens is excited to support the efforts of Make-A-Wish Hong Kong to grant wishes and positively change the lives of these courageous Wish Children.
This year we will be able to help several children’s wishes come true and, most importantly, help inspire the children in difficult times
“Rugby has a giving, team spirit and the Tens has a strong tradition of raising money for its chosen charity each year. This year we will be able to help several children’s wishes come true and, most importantly, help inspire the children in difficult times. Make-A-Wish is a remarkable organisation and we’re delighted to help,” added Foley.
Kalmond Ma, executive director of Make-A-Wish Hong Kong, said in the statement: “A wish come true empowers children with life-threatening medical conditions to fight harder against their illnesses. For their doctors, nurses and other health professionals, the wish experience works in concert with medicine to make their patients feel better, emotionally and even physically.”
Make-A-Wish Hong Kong is one of 39 affiliates of Make-A-Wish Foundation International, which is headquartered in the USA and serves over 50 countries and territories through its network.
The Hong Kong Tens attracts some of the game’s top players, with past participants including seven of the New Zealand team who won the 2015 Rugby World Cup – Conrad Smith, Jerome Kaino, Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Sam Cane and Charlie Faumuina.
