Toon has a ball on day off in 'second home'

Toon has a ball on day off in 'second home'

Toon Bodyslam is surrounded by students at Bang Saphan School in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Friday. (Photo by Chaiwat Satyaem)
Toon Bodyslam is surrounded by students at Bang Saphan School in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Friday. (Photo by Chaiwat Satyaem)

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: Toon Bodyslam visited his "second home" in Bang Saphan district on Friday on the eve of his return to the road and his hospital charity marathon.

The rocker was greeted by more than 1,000 students waiting for him at Bang Saphan School where he handed out footballs, other sports equipment and scholarships, which are part of his charity run to help state hospitals.

Toon, whose real name is Artiwara Kongmalai, is an avid fan of Suphanburi FC, the Thai League 1 club in his birthplace of Suphan Buri.

The lead singer of Bodyslam emphasised the importance of education during his talk with the students. "Friends of mine were good at studying but they could not go on because they didn't have money," he said of his desire to offer financial support for students in need.

"I would like all students who have got and haven't got scholarships to stay focused on education for your better future."

Toon has spent most of his life in Bangkok but bought a plot of land in Bang Saphan four years ago. It was the poor condition of Bang Saphan Hospital that motivatedd him to stage his first charity run, 400 kilometres from Bangkok, two years ago. That in turn inspired him to take up the challenge this year of covering 2,191 km from the southernmost point of the country in Betong district of Yala to the northernmost in Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai.

"I am very happy every time I'm in Bang Saphan. This is my second home," he said on Friday.

The runner is on the second day of a two-day layoff from running to recover his strength on advice from doctors who did not want injuries to derail his South-North run.

"I feel refreshed now after a full rest," he told his fans.

Toon will resume his run on Saturday from Pathiu district in Chumphon.

So far the singer has logged 851 kilometres since he set off on Nov 1 from Betong. He plans to reach Mae Sai on Dec 25, with 700 million baht in donations in hand. As of Friday evening, according to the Kao Kon Lakao (everyone takes a step) website, contributions have surpassed 328 million baht.

The Bodyslam singer talks to students during his visit to Bang Saphan School in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Friday. (Photo by Chaiwat Satyaem)

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