Steps for a cause: How you can do your part to raise $300,000 for Singapore Red Cross

Come February 20, it will be another habitual brisk-walking activity for Mr Rajendran and his colleagues. The only difference for them is that their accumulated steps for a whole month will help raise funds for the Singapore Red Cross.

Mr Rajendran, managing director of landscaping company Amozonia Pte Ltd, and four others in his team will be tracking their steps for Walk for Humanity, a virtual charity walk organised by Maybank Singapore.

The aim? To raise $300,000 in support of Singapore Red Cross' local and regional humanitarian efforts.

As part of Maybank's sustainability commitment to 'improve the lives of 1 million households across ASEAN by 2025', the bank is rallying its employees and clients - which include Amozonia - and members of the public to clock steps and do good for the community.

Maybank will donate $10 for every kilometre walked by participants and pledges up to $150,000 in donations for humanitarian aid for communities affected by the floods in Malaysia and Typhoon Rai in the Philippines. This is in addition to Maybank's earlier donation to the Singapore Red Cross to aid Covid-19 relief in Indonesia.

Public donations via Giving.sg are also welcome and donations to local causes are eligible for tax deductions of 2.5 times the donation amount.

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Dr John Lee, Country CEO and CEO of Maybank Singapore, says: "The Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on all our lives in one way or another. While most people here are preparing to resume life in the new normal, many in Singapore and around the region still need our support. Through the Walk for Humanity, everyone can play a part by contributing to Singapore Red Cross' humanitarian efforts through clocking your daily steps or making a donation."

The Singapore Red Cross goes beyond our shores to bring humanitarian aid to those in need, working closely with the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and partners to help those affected in the areas of disaster relief and recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Since December 2021, Singapore Red Cross has been supporting communities affected by the floods in Malaysia and Typhoon Rai in the Philippines. More than 21,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Malaysia due to floods, and the death toll from the super typhoon has crossed 200 in the Philippines. In Singapore, isolated elderly are more likely to face social isolation, financial worries, and disruption to social support; these challenges are exacerbated due to the pandemic.

The Singapore Red Cross was chosen as a beneficiary as it is an established home-grown humanitarian organisation serving the vulnerable both locally and internationally. In addition, the mission statement of Singapore Red Cross, 'Serving Humanity, Saving Lives', resonates strongly with Maybank's 'Humanising Financial Services' mission statement.

Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO, Singapore Red Cross, believes that Covid-19 has been a double whammy for charities.

"On one hand, we have had to ramp up our services to serve more beneficiaries; on the other hand, we have had to raise more funds amid a challenging time for everyone."

Hence, he adds that collaboration is key as the Singapore Red Cross - an independent, self-funded, charitable organisation - relies on volunteers, partners, donors and supporters to advance its humanitarian cause.

"The funds raised will enable us to continue delivering our ongoing services, as well as to scale up much-needed humanitarian services to mitigate the impact of Covid-19. Beyond fundraising, the event publicity increases awareness not just of our causes but also, the needs on the ground. This will help engender a more gracious and kind community," says William.

Dr Lee of Maybank concurs: "As a financial institution, we bridge people to financial access, and in the same way, we create opportunities for people to do good. We strive to be a force for good not just within our organisation, but using our network to create a collective impact."

This is the first time that Maybank is organising a virtual charity walk. Dr Lee says that through such events, companies can engage its staff, customers and other stakeholders to create collective impact, so that we collectively do our part as a responsible corporate citizen.

For Mr Rajendran, the benefits of participating in Walk for Humanity are two-fold: "Exercise itself is beneficial and it is a bonus to know that we are able to do our part for charity and benefit others in the process. For those who feel the inertia, I say take the first step and start your engine!"

How you can take part

To sign up for #WalkForHumanity, members of the public can register for free on the 42Race event microsite or 42Race mobile app (on Google Play or App Store). Submit your distance clocked over the period of February 20 to March 20 by connecting your Strava or Garmin on both Android and iOS devices to the 42Race mobile app. Maybank will donate $10 for every kilometre clocked by participants.

Each completion comes with an e-certification and an e-badge. The first 1,000 participants can also each collect a specially-designed event face mask at MSpace at Maybank located at Orchard Shopping Centre. If you wish to make a donation, visit Giving.sg.

For more information on Walk for Humanity, visit maybank.sg/walkforhumanity, Maybank's official Instagram page or Facebook page.