UOB brings cheer to SPD beneficiaries

Singapore

LED by its deputy chairman and chief executive officer Wee Ee Cheong, about 200 of United Overseas Bank's employees and clients had gathered on Jan 24 to assist 130 individuals with special needs from SPD in their preparations for the Chinese New Year.

Formerly known as the Society for the Physically Disabled, SPD is a local charity organisation focused on aiding people with disabilities through cultivating self-reliance and independence.

The activities started off with a trip to the FairPrice Xtra outlet at Kallang Wave Mall to buy groceries, household supplies and festive treats for more than 40 SPD beneficiaries.

Much like Christmas, Chinese New Year is a time for sharing and spreading joy to the less fortunate in Singapore - something companies such as UOB have incorporated into their culture.

Eric Tham, UOB managing director and head of group commercial banking, said: "At UOB, it is now both a custom and a tradition that we give back to the community every Chinese New Year, together with our clients and colleagues.

"Every year, we all look forward to coming together to touch the lives of others in small but hopefully meaningful and memorable ways."

The grocery drive by UOB was just the first of three events on the day. The UOB team then headed to SPD headquarters in Tiong Bahru to distribute gifts to other beneficiaries.

Red packets and festive goodie bags were handed out, with young beneficiaries receiving an additional goodie bag filled with a T-shirt and school-going essentials such as stationery.

The activities continued with the UOB team, together with SPD staff and beneficiaries, singing classic Chinese New Year songs.

SPD beneficiary Lim Chin Hwa enjoyed the sing-along session, and felt that such songs and the festive decor at SPD had put him "in the mood for the New Year".

"To top that off, receiving an early hongbao as a treat my family and myself, and having new friends to shop with are a great start to the new year," he said.

Tan Soo Nan, chairman of SPD's fundraising committee, said: "We are grateful to UOB for supporting us in the journey to build a society where people of all abilities are included. The event brought extra warmth into the hearts of our beneficiaries.

"We hope other organisations will follow their exemplary CSR initiatives to help those in underprivileged circumstances in our community." UOB client Nelson Lim added: "I have participated in several charity events before and I found the activities especially touching.

"It is good that UOB has taken a lead in giving back to the community and continues to include their employees and clients when doing so."

UOB's involvement with SPD is not a one-off - the financial institution undertook the PayNow For A Cause initiative as part of the nation's Giving Week 2017 (Nov 28 to Dec 5) and raised more than S$120,000 for the charity.

The events with SPD are a prelude to UOB's Commercial Banking Lunar New Year fundraising dinners on Feb 20 and 21. A feature of these yearly dinners is the auction of specially-commissioned works of art.

At last year's dinner, UOB raised more than S$1.2 million, with proceeds going to a number of charities focused on children, art and education.

This year's dinners will raise money for The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, SPD and The Red Pencil Singapore.