More than 11,000 United Overseas Bank (UOB) employees, their families and customers, participated in the annual UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk. This event was held simultaneously in six markets in Asia, namely China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand on Sunday, 24 July 2016. Together, they raised RM3.3 million which will go towards improving the lives of children in Asia who are underprivileged or have special needs.
United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) alone rallied close to a thousand runners and walkers at Taman Botani Negara, Bukit Cahaya Shah Alam, Selangor. This was the highest number of participants since it was first held in 2008. A mainstay in the Bank’s calendar, the UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk embodies its key corporate social responsibility focus on children, education and art. The event featured a 3.5-kilometre walk, and a seven-kilometre run.
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| Mr Wong Kim Choong, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia, officiated the 2016 UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk at Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, Selangor. |
A total of RM224,000 raised from the drive will be channelled into improving the lives of children through education and those with special needs, as well as to empower and enable the disabled through rehabilitation and training. For the third year running, UOB Malaysia is supporting Dignity for Children Foundation, Angel’s Children Home, Shelter Home for Children and the Penang Cheshire Home.
This year (2016), children from the beneficiary homes also participated in the run and walk, accompanied by their caretakers and volunteers from the Bank. Adding to the fun in this annual fundraiser, the Bank also threw a carnival filled with entertainment, fringe activities and games for UOB employees and its beneficiaries.
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| 2015 UOB Painting Of the Year Silver Award winner in the Established Artist category, Encik Azizi Latiff looking over a UOB employee helping her three-year old daughter painting a bag during the art jam session at the UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk at Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, Selangor |
To raise awareness of art in the community, UOB Malaysia held an art jamming session. Children between the ages of four and 16 expressed their creativity through a bag painting activity. The session was guided by the 2015 UOB Painting of the Year’s Silver Award winner in the Established Artist category, Encik Azizi Latiff and Most Promising Artist of the Year Award winner, Ms Nia Khalisa.
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| Mr Wong Kim Choong, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia (fourth from left), in a group photo with the top runners from both Men and Women’s categories during the UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk at Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, Selangor. The runners are (from left to right): Mr Sham Kai Leong, Mr Tai Lee Fei, Ms Juvina Lam, Ms Fan Suet Li, Mr Wong, Ms Sylvia Liao, Mr Lim Teck Lek and Mr Chang Wei Khee |
Mr Wong Kim Choong, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia, who also participated in the 3.5-kilometre walk said, “Eight years ago, we launched the UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk to raise funds for those in need.By working together with various charitable organisations, we believe we can make a difference to the lives of those around us. Behind this annual event are thousands of UOB employees who enthusiastically volunteer their time and effort over many months to give back to the community. I am encouraged by my colleagues’ enthusiasm and generosity to rally together in a concerted effort to build a better future for those with fewer opportunities in life, and those with special needs.”
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