Firm chips in to give school’s charity run a big boost

(From left) Andersen, Lorthu, Millard and Zidar presenting the contribution from Motorola Solutions Inc to Brother Jason, Tan and Goh at St Xavier’s Institution in Penang. – CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

ST XAVIER’S Institution (SXI) in Penang has received RM25,000 from Motorola Solutions Inc to use for various purposes.

Part of the donation will go towards the SXI Charity Run on Sept 16 which is split into a 5km fun run and 10km open event.

It is among the activities to mark the school’s 170th anniversary.

SXI board of governors chairman Victor Tan said the donation would also be used to cover the school’s maintenance costs.

“The run is part of our annual efforts to raise funds for needy pupils,” Tan said at a presentation ceremony at the school.

Among those presenting the contribution on behalf of Motorola Solutions were senior vice-president of global enterprise and channels John Zidar and vice-president for PCR products and engineering Katja Millard.

They were joined by Motorola Penang vice-president and managing director Solomon Lorthu, who is a Xaverian, and deputy managing director John Andersen.

The company’s Penang site operations lead Alvin Yeoh said SXI was one of the schools they had engaged as part of their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach.

“It is important to nurture youths in STEM as this will help support the industry demands of tomorrow,” Yeoh said.

Also present were SXI brother director Brother Jason Blaikie, board member Jeffrey Chew, principal Goh Hong Peng and heritage board chairman Ooi Gim Ewe.

Following the handover, the visitors toured the school’s new Hall of Gratitude, which lists some 35,000 names of alumni dating back to 1879.

Those who wish to join the charity run can buy tickets or sponsor a student at https://www.ticket2u.com.my/event/27274/sxi-charity-run-2022.

Participants who complete the 5km or 10km runs are entitled to enter lucky draws.

Those who come first, second or third in the 10km categories (men, women and students) will also win cash prizes of RM300, RM200 and RM100 respectively.