Three charities benefit from virtual run, walk

Food Aid Foundation will be providing essential food supplies and toiletries to 20 children’s homes through UOB Malaysia’s fundraising initiative.

UOB Malaysia staff and their families got together to raise RM300,000 for three charities, through the bank’s flagship annual fund-raising event — UOB Global Heartbeat Virtual Run/Walk.

The funds raised — to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children and vulnerable communities impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic — will benefit Food Aid Foundation, SOLS 24/7 and Generasi Gemilang Foundation.

The aid, to be distributed equally, will help more than 1,300 children and youths from vulnerable families for a year as they rebuild their lives from the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

UOB Malaysia chief executive officer Wong Kim Choong said, “Vulnerable communities, especially disadvantaged children and youths, have been among those hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Although the economy is gradually reopening, it is important to continue supporting them.

“We hope the money raised will make a meaningful difference to those impacted by the pandemic and alleviate some of their burden.”

The charities will use the money to purchase fresh produce, nutritious meals and toiletries for the children.

The money will also help fund 40 youths to complete a year-long apprenticeship programme at SOLS 24/7’s Solar Academy.

The programme offers Malaysian youths a second chance at education and provides them with career opportunities in the solar industry.

Additionally, the funds provided to Generasi Gemilang Foundation will go towards providing Internet access and school supplies needed by students from socio-economically challenged backgrounds.

Generasi Gemilang Foundation services director Nick Foong said, “There are many basic essentials that vulnerable families require during this Covid-19 pandemic.

“However, many families are struggling to even put food on the table.

“With this generous donation from UOB Malaysia, vulnerable families are able to afford basic necessities such as rice and oil.

“The funds will also go a long way towards providing children with Internet access to help them in their education.”

Meanwhile, funds raised for Food Aid Foundation will be used to buy essential groceries and toiletries for 1,200 children from 20 children’s homes for three months.

This year marks UOB Malaysia’s Heartbeat Run/Walk’s 14th edition and the second time it is held virtually so participants can take part safely amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Building on last year’s successful event, UOB Malaysia expanded the participation criteria for this year’s two-month virtual event to encourage staff and their families accumulate active hours through various fitness activities, including running, ball games and yoga.

From July to August, UOB Group ran the global fundraising effort across its 17 markets and raised a record of more than RM5mil.

The collective spirit of UOB personnel saw participants clocking almost 80,000 active hours, surpassing the bank’s target by more than 50%, with UOB Malaysia staff contributing almost 11,000 active hours.

Since the pandemic started, UOB Malaysia has cumulatively donated RM600,000 via Mercy Malaysia to provide hospitals with critical medical equipment needed to help them fight Covid-19 as well as ease the burden of healthcare workers.