The recent annual Melbourne Cup event held at Heineken House in Denarau raised funds for the ‘Run to Give’ initiative, supporting charitable activities. Neeraj Chadha, Multi-Property Vice President for Fiji and Samoa at Marriott International and General Manager of Westin and Sheraton Resorts Fiji Complex, emphasized that this gathering has fostered a sense of celebration and community engagement for the past six years.
This year, the event focused on supporting Markets for Change, a UNICEF program, which aims to empower women entrepreneurs in the region. Chadha noted that hotels from Australia and New Zealand, along with those in Fiji, collectively raised over $30,000 through the initiative, underlining the event’s goal of continuing this charitable mission.
With over 100 attendees, including tourists and local groups like Nadi Hash Harriers, the event was a vibrant gathering. Participants enjoyed a lively atmosphere filled with entertainment, including a performance by the Vou Dance group, along with delicious food and beverages.
Feedback from attendees highlighted the event as a fantastic way to enjoy an afternoon while contributing to a worthy cause. Sponsors such as Heineken, Lanson, and DGRC played significant roles in making the event successful.
This initiative reflects a positive community spirit that not only provides entertainment but also supports vital charitable work aimed at fostering local entrepreneurship and community development.
Adding a hopeful perspective, such events illustrate the power of collaboration across regions to create meaningful change, reinforcing the idea that when communities unite for a cause, substantial impacts can be achieved.