UOB run unites 25,000 participants across the region, raises S$2.4 million for 25 charities

ACROSS the region, some 25,000 UOB employees, customers and beneficiaries came together recently to raise S$2.4 million for 25 charities through the annual UOB Heartbeat Run. This run was held not only in Singapore on Saturday (Sep 28), but also in Hong Kong and Indonesia. Other UOB locations such as mainland China, Malaysia and Thailand hosted their events across September, while UOB Vietnam will hold its event in October.

The UOB Heartbeat Run is the bank’s flagship volunteering and fundraising event, organised across 18 global markets where UOB has a presence. Over the last three months, various fundraising activities led by UOB employees included charity cafes, talent shows, auctions and more. Since its inception in 2007, the UOB Heartbeat programme has raised more than S$20 million to help communities in need, focusing on the bank’s corporate social responsibility areas of art, children and education.

In Singapore alone, the run raised about S$1.7 million, which will be distributed through Community Chest to help some 15,000 children and families in need. The 18th edition of the event, held at Promontory @ Marina Bay, attracted a record crowd of nearly 10,000 participants.

Besides the run, the Singapore event featured a carnival where four social enterprises – Flour Power, The Art Faculty, Social Gifting Singapore and Singapore Fashion Runway – sold cookies and gifts created by crafters with special needs and different abilities. The revenue earned by these enterprises will be matched by UOB. In addition, food and beverage partners Ye Olde Cow, Loco Loco, Overrice and Lee Wee & Brothers pledged a portion of their proceeds to charity.

Several green initiatives were introduced at the 2024 Heartbeat Run: participants were encouraged to bring their own water bottles to minimise waste, and event T-shirts were made from 100 per cent recycled materials. The race medals were also made from recycled materials. Additionally, the event featured an e-waste recycling and used shoe collection drive.

UOB’s deputy chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong said: “UOB is committed to doing right by the community through corporate philanthropy and employee volunteerism... Through our collective efforts, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need across the region.”

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Chew Sutat, chairman of Community Chest, highlighted UOB’s longstanding generosity towards those in need. He noted: “For decades, UOB has been a steadfast partner of Community Chest in uplifting lives of children and families in need.”

The funds raised will go towards vital social service programmes under organisations such as Care Corner Singapore, the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s ComLink+ initiative, Life Community Services Society, and those supported by President’s Challenge.

Christian Chao, CEO of Care Corner Singapore, said: “(The funds) will be instrumental in uplifting low-income families and enhancing social mobility. It will enable us to work closely with these families and their children, addressing critical areas such as health, education and development. This includes offering learning and special needs support to children in need of extra attention.”