The bank staff and their families participating in the annual Walk for Autism during the KL Car-Free Morning.
A TOTAL RM50,500 was raised for the care of 100 children with autism, via the annual Walk for Autism during the KL Car-Free Morning.
OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd (OCBC Al-Amin), in its 10th year of collaborating with Ideas Autism Centre (IAC), held the event to promote awareness of autism.
Bank staff walked, ran or cycled for three kilometres to raise funds. They were joined by family and friends.
The funds raised will be used to provide high-quality care and education for children with autism, to equip them to lead fulfilling lives.
The bank had earlier hosted an Autism Day x Prihatin Fest to raise awareness of autism among its staff.
IAC founding president and chairman Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin described the bank’s support as a blessing.
“We continue to be blessed by this kindness and support from OCBC Al-Amin.
“It takes effort and dedication to not just raise the funds, but also foster camaraderie at these annual walks,” he said.
OCBC Al-Amin chief executive officer Tuan Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik said the bank was pleased to have been working alongside IAC for a decade now.
“Our aspiration to be Asia’s leading financial services partner for a sustainable future extends beyond our customers.
“We want to be the bank that enables communities around us to realise their aspirations as well.
“OCBC Al-Amin serves the communities in which it operates nationwide, through the #OCBCCares platform and its three pillars of education, environment and healthcare,” he explained.
The bank’s partnership with IAC, he said, fell under the education pillar of the “Aided to Aspire” programme.
“As part of the initiative, we walked together with the families of the autistic children.
“My staff and I were humbled by each step we took, bearing in mind how every ringgit raised would contribute to improving lives,” said Syed Abdull.
He said the significant rise in registered autism cases in Malaysia emphasised the critical need for early intervention.
“Importantly, the event also celebrated the unique creativity and potential of individuals with autism, reminding us of the value they bring to our diverse society.
“Overall, it reinforced our commitment to advocating for and supporting this meaningful cause,” he added.
Tunku Zain thanked the staff of OCBC Al-Amin.
“The bank’s generous contribution has not only uplifted our event but also reinforced our belief in the potential of every child.
“We continue to need assistance and funding to provide quality care and education for our autistic children.
“This is a meaningful partnership that we hope will continue to serve to ensure autistic children and adults are able to better integrate into the wider society,” he said.
