The world is full of challenges and uncertainties, and often, it is the children who suffer the most. To support the most vulnerable in our society, Roche initiated the Children's Walk over 20 years ago. It has since grown into the company's largest global employee participation and charity event.
This year, around 1,600 employees from our Basel/Kaiseraugst and Rotkreuz sites laced up their running shoes for a common goal: to raise funds for children, supporting educational projects and improving healthcare services.
In addition to the leisurely walk and the more competitive run, the Tower Run in Basel was literally a high point: about 300 colleagues raced to the 47th floor of Building 2, the tallest building in Switzerland. At 200 meters, a shared sense of achievement was felt as the participants accomplished something great for others.
I find it very rewarding that we have the Tower Run and the Children's Walk. It connects us as Roche employees, brings us closer together, and reminds us of the importance of giving back to society together.
Since its inception in 2003, more than 300,000 Roche employees have participated, raising over 23 million Swiss francs. Through the Roche Employee Action & Charity Trust (Re&Act) and partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF, the Roger Federer Foundation, and Child’s Dream, more than one million children worldwide benefit from educational programs.