Island Petroleum charity event targets Lae clinics

The We Are One Foundation, the charitable arm of Islands Petroleum, will host its annual charity fundraiser event in Lae this weekend to support local health services in the Morobe Province.

The event, which returns on Sunday, aims to raise vital funds for the infrastructure and operational needs of the Malahang and Buimo health clinics in Lae.

First staged in 2017 and followed by a second event in 2019, the fundraiser was temporarily halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was revived last year with 2,000 participants and has grown significantly this year, drawing backing from more than 60 corporate sponsors.

We Are One project coordinator Douglas Avusi said he expected an even larger turnout for this year's event.

"We sold 2,000 shirts last year, and all funds were directed to supporting Milford Haven Primary School and Milford Haven Health Clinic," Avusi said. "For this year, we will be raising funds to support two health facilities, Malahang and Buimo clinics in Lae."

Avusi said the foundation was a community movement for both individual and corporate citizens to take an active role in improving local lives.

Islands Petroleum project officer Adeline Elias expressed confidence that the weekend event would be a success.

Elias acknowledged platinum sponsor New Britain Palm Oil Limited [NBPOL], alongside other corporate partners and key stakeholders, including the Lae City Authority, for providing in-kind support.

The main charity event is scheduled to start at 6am on Sunday at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.

In an expansion for 2026, the associated 'Colour Run' initiative has been extended beyond Morobe to five other provinces: Madang, Oro, New Ireland, West New Britain, and Milne Bay.