NTUC Club and NTUC-U Care Fund organises inaugural “community for community” virtual charity run
16 March 2022 – This month, U Sports and NTUC-U Care Fund are co-organising a highly-engaging yet meaningful virtual charity run, Run To C.A.R.E. The fundraiser hopes to raise $50,000. All funds raised will go towards supporting U Care Fund's assistance programmes where over 15,000 lower-income members and their families will benefit.
Run To C.A.R.E, which happens from 16 Mar to 10 Apr, is the first virtual charity run put together by U Sports – a key engagement platform that reaches out to the union community and its associations and members through sports. U Sports is managed by NTUC Club, which is the leisure arm of the Labour Movement.
The proceeds from Run To C.A.R.E will go to the NTUC-U Care Fund, which was established in 2009 by the Labour Movement to lessen the financial burden and improve the lives of lower-income members and their families. During the pandemic, the NTUC-U Care Fund stepped up its fundraising efforts. Using innovative ways via collaborations and harnessing technology to raise funds, it grew the pool of donors in 2021, raising close to $8 million. Notable collaborations include the Blockchain for Good initiative, Singapore’s first Non-fungible Token charity auction where over $400,000 was raised for NTUC-U Care Fund from Blockchain Association Singapore’s corporate members and the general public. Efforts also include an ongoing partnership with Hyperlive Entertainment to raise funds via innovative ways such as through an e-Getai charity concert last year which raised over $200,000 as well as a live charity bazaar on 26 February this year which amassed over $70,000 for NTUC-U Care Fund.
In a similar spirit of collaboration, NTUC’s charity and leisure arms are coming together to do good and rally members of the public to participate in Run To C.A.R.E, tapping on the community’s newfound love for outdoor activities that gained popularity amidst the pandemic. The public may choose to contribute to NTUCU Care Fund in two ways: Putting in a donation and participate in the virtual run, or to go one step further and set up their own fundraising campaign and rally friends and family to contribute to the campaign.
Ahead of the virtual run, NTUC Assistant Director-General and Director of NTUC Care and Share Department Mr Zainal Sapari, NTUC Director and Mayor of South East District, Mr Fahmi Aliman, Singapore Teachers’ Union General Secretary Mr Mike Thiruman as well as NTUC-U Care Fund Board of Trustees Member Mr David Ong have started their personal donation drives for Run To C.A.R.E and are committing to complete various race milestones in their own time. Cumulatively, they target to run a total of 322km and raise $35,000. In addition, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How will also be starting his own donation drive for Run to C.A.R.E. More details on the race mechanics and fundraising campaigns are in the Annex.
Ms Gigi Low, NTUC Club's Membership Engagement & Experience Director, said: "We are excited to organise our first virtual charity run. We're constantly engaging our members through various interest- based platforms at NTUC Club. By integrating sports and charity, we want to encourage our members and the public to take on a more active role in contributing to the community while keeping fit.”
Mr Zainal Sapari, NTUC Assistant Director-General and Director of NTUC Care and Share Department, added: “Having picked up running lately to keep myself active, I aim to complete all five race milestones on different days, including the 42km milestone. I was also inspired by a 4-year-old girl, Faith Hu, as well as some union leaders and NTUC colleagues who have committed to run for this good cause. I hope many more can join us in this meaningful initiative, where all donations will go towards supporting our lower-income members and their families through these difficult times.”