The Sheraton Gambia fundraising drive to raise funds for vulnerable children on behalf of UNICEF that would kickstart with the 'Ride for Life' will begin on on Saturday 21st June 2008 at 09.00.

The event was announced by John Pantelides, General Manager of Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa, during the launch of the UNICEF State of the World's Children Report 2008 on behalf of President Jammeh by First Lady Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh at a ceremony held at the Sheraton Hotel in Brufut Heights on Thursday May 29th 2008 on the theme "Child Survival".

Mr Pantelides also acknowledged the long-standing partnership between UNICEF and Starwood Hotels worldwide, including all Sheraton Hotels. 

According to a dispatch from Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa, Since it's launch in 1995, the Starwood Hotel Check Out For Children (COFC) program has raised almost US$20 million for UNICEF immunization programs world wide and enabled over 1 million children to be immunized against preventable diseases. The program now touches on many aspects in life to mirror the core values of our brands. Starwood earned UNICEF's 60th anniversary the prestigious Corporate Partnership Award for the most significant contribution by a corporate partner from 1996-2006. The award, which is only granted every ten years, is given as a way of acknowledging the exceptional contribution of an organization.

This year inspired by the 2007 Tour de France bike ride, Sheraton management and associates will experience the tough physical challenge pushing the riders to their limits in a long-distance bicycle ride from Arch 22 to Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa. The drive, however, has the potential to initiate change and is in line with company objectives to pursue corporate responsibility indispensable in today's world.

In the past 8 years, Starwood associates have raised over $800,000 through associate fundraising. The success of the Check Out for Children Challenge 2008  in The Gambia depends on the generosity of our community as a whole, from corporate bodies, international conglomerates, diplomatic corps,  philanthropists and individuals. This noble gesture benefits humanity and saves lives.

16th June is the International Day of the Child, therefore the date of the fundraising drive exactly two weeks after on the 28th June 2008 serves as a reminder to The Gambia that vulnerable children of the world remain the responsibility of everyone. The next big date for Sheraton Gambia efforts will be in December to coincide with the Day of the African Child when a sub-regional Mega-Star and UNICEF Ambassador will perform a fundraising concert at Sheraton Gambia.

UNICEF National Representative, Mrs. Min Whee Kang will offer her moral support and cut the ribbon at the start-off point on Saturday 28th June.  She will also be there to cheer in the participants at the end of the gruelling ride.  An after party with light snacks, balloons, drinks and music will close the day. 

It could be recalled that various speakers including the UN Resident Coordinator Chinwe Dike, UNICEF National Representative Mrs. Min Whee Kang, Dr. Malick Njie, Secretary of State for Health spoke at the launch.