Rousing welcome at airport

The pair returned to a rousing welcome by children and staff of the centre at Hong Kong International Airport on June 26, who greeted them with flowers, smiles and hugs.

Contributions still keep coming in after their return from South Africa, bringing the total contribution so far to top the $500,000 mark. Contributions are still welcomed, and cheques payable to "Watchdog Limited" can be sent to Paul, DOO-STDIST. He can be contacted on 2694-6310 or email doo-stdist@police.gov.hk.

On July 2, the General Manager of a local hotel, Mr Ted Durham, presented a cheque for $8,000 from the hotel to the centre. Apart from the donation, the hotel has also sponsored the charity runners' one-week stay in Durban.

Both Peter and Paul are thankful to "everyone, from Commissioner down to PC in the Force", who has supported their run for Watchdog. They also thanked businessmen and corporations outside the Force for their contributions and support, including a local airline who has sponsored their passages to South Africa.

With pledges of support being honoured after their return, Peter and Paul hope that the final total contribution would be boosted further for the interest of the children being cared for by Watchdog. Commissioner Lee Ming-kwai has agreed to present the final cheque to the centre in due course.

Expressing appreciation of the pair's assistance, the centre's Programme Co-ordinator, Miss Stella Wong, said contributions would help reduce the centre's annual deficit and upgrade its existing resources and facilities for children requiring special care.

Both Peter and Paul completed the "double" marathon from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in 11 hours 40 minutes and 24 seconds, starting at 5.30 am and finishing at 5.10 pm. The race had attracted over 12,000 runners, and 10,108 had crossed the finishing line.

"We've never run anything like that before, running and walking for nearly 12 hours. We tried to run as much as possible on the flat and down hill, but in the race there are five big hills, the largest one being three-and-a-half kilometers, so obviously on these hills we had to walk at a fast pace," said Paul.

During their run, Peter and Paul sported Chinese-style hats bearing the words "Watchdog, Hong Kong" plus their names, which caught the attention of the South African TV and thousands of spectators lining the whole route. The crowds' cheers of "We saw you on TV; come on Hong Kong!" had been a big encouragement to the pair.

En route, the pair had stopped for a photo session with handicapped children watching the race in wheelchairs.

The sun was disappearing over the hills as Peter and Paul entered the Oval to the cheers of a 40,000-strong crowd. Their last lap of the track was very emotional when officials introduced and "welcomed home the two boys from Hong Kong".

"We had made it in 11 hours 40 minutes. What an amazing feeling as we hit the line to get our medals and have our photographs taken," the pair recalled.

For both Peter and Paul, the Comrades Marathon was a big test of their stamina.

"That's it," said Peter. "Never again!" As for Paul, "Perhaps the downhill run next year from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, I wonder?"

OffBeat takes the opportunity to congratulate Paul for obtaining the Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service for his "valuable contribution in raising funds for the Watchdog Early Learning and Development Centre".

CIP Keylock (left) accepting a cheque on behalf of the education centre from hotel general manager Ted Durham