Ching (left) awarding Lee a finisher’s medal for taking part in the Petaling Jaya event.
THIRTY years on and a run to raise awareness and funds for children with disability is going on strong.
Spastic Fun Run 2025, held at Dataran Petaling Jaya in Selangor, attracted over 3,000 participants.
The event themed “Your Contribution = Their Hope” was organised by Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor and Federal Territory (SCASFT) in collaboration with multiple non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Participants were flagged off by Department for Development of Persons with Disabilities (JPOKU) director Pathmanathan R. Nalasamy, Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon, Selangor women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung and Petaling Jaya police chief Asst Comm Shamsudin Mamat.
SCASFT in a media statement said the event was a lively affair, with some of the officials even joining in, walking alongside or helping to push wheelchair users during the 2km Unity Walk.
There were also the 5km fun run and 10km competitive run.
The atmosphere was jazzed up by lucky draws with a total of RM40,000 in prizes, Zumba warm-up sessions, community exhibition booths and a food truck zone.
Spastic Fun Run 2025 saw 3,000 participants in categories including 5km fun run and 2km Unity Walk (pic, below).
Several top donors, comprising companies and individuals, were invited on stage for a mock cheque presentation, helping SCASFT raise RM360,000.
SCASFT said its monthly operational costs were about RM170,000 and mostly covered by donations.
“Over the past 30 years, this event has not only been a fundraising platform, but a true reflection of national inclusivity,” said SCASFT board member and event chairman Datuk Jerry Ching.
“Walking the 2km route alongside the differently-abled allows participants to experience their daily challenges, and inspires a deeper sense of empathy and responsibility,” Ching added.
Pathmanathan urged the public and private sectors to provide more learning and development opportunities for children with special needs, so that they could gain skills and confidently integrate into society.
He also encouraged people to support SCASFT, which has been committed to rehabilitation and education for children with special needs.
Established in 1960, SCASFT organised the first Walk-Jog-Wheel-A-Thon in 1994.
The annual run not only supports SCASFT’s operations, but also raises public awareness and encourages involvement in the welfare of the disabled community.
Several welfare-based NGOs also participated to gain exposure and raise funds for their own organisations, raising some RM130,000 in the process.
Funds for SCASFT go towards upgrading physiotherapy facilities, expanding special education and vocational training programmes and contributing to the new building development fund to enhance long-term care for children with cerebral palsy.
For more information, visit www.scasft.org
