UOB raises record S$1.86m for 25 charities

UOB on Thursday announced that it has raised a record S$1.86 million for various charities through its annual fundraising event, the Global Heartbeat Virtual Run/Walk.

The event involved the bank's employees, their families and customers across 17 different markets.

UOB said the money will be donated to 25 charities around the world to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and vulnerable communities impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Singapore, the money raised via the UOB Heartbeat Fund will provide financial support for beneficiaries including the Rare Disease Fund, the President's Challenge, Children's Wishing Well and The Red Pencil.

This will help children and youths from low-income families and those suffering from rare genetic diseases. It will also go towards organising activities such as art therapy sessions and workshops on digital skills.

UOB deputy chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong said the amount raised "will hopefully make a meaningful difference" to those impacted by Covid-19, especially disadvantaged children and vulnerable members of the community.

Rare Disease Fund chairperson Laura Hwang noted that life-long medications to treat rare diseases can cost up to thousands of dollars each year for a single patient.

"Donations to the Rare Disease Fund will build a funding model that is sustainable for the long term, so that we can assure qualified patients of our continued support for them," she said.

This is the 15th edition of UOB's annual flagship volunteerism and fundraising event and the second time it is being held virtually for participants.

This year, UOB expanded the participation criteria for the two-month virtual event to encourage employees and their families to accumulate active hours through fitness activities like running, ball games and yoga.