About Campaign
ends 31 Dec 2019, 11:59 PMI am 54-years old and am working as a taxi driver. Years ago, I could barely complete a 1.5km run because I had been smoking since the age of 16. One day in 1987 a friend brought me to MacRitchie Reservoir to run a 5km. Unfortunately, I could barely manage 1.5km. I ran out of breath and had to walk the remaining distance. My friend completed the 5km and after that he laughed at me for not even running 1.5km. And so, I told my friend that I would quit smoking and prove to him that I can do it. My persistence paid off. Today, I can run beyond 1.5km and has done several full and half marathons (to name a few - the Standard Chartered Marathon, Kuala Lumpur Marathon, Army Half Marathon, Penang Marathon, the recent Run for Cover 42-hour treadmill marathon, and the MacRitchie Cross-Country Marathon and the MacRitchie Ultramarathon). I am inspired by how beneficiaries of the 67 charities under President's Challenge overcome the odds to brave each day and would like to play my part to show that I care for them and that we are with them.
About the Charity
The President's Challenge is an annual community outreach and fundraising campaign for charities selected every year by the President's Office. It is a call to all Singaporeans in doing their part in building a more caring and inclusive society.
Initiated in 2000 by former President S R Nathan, the Challenge represents the coming together of people from all walks of life, to help the less fortunate. In 2012, under the leadership of former President Tony Tan Keng Yam, the Challenge was expanded to go beyond fundraising by including volunteerism and social
entrepreneurship.
In 2018, President Halimah Yacob announced a $10 million fund (Empowering For Life Fund) which will empower vulnerable groups through skills upgrading, capacity-building and employment. Visit http://www.pc.org.sg/WhoWeSupport to find out about the benefiting organisations supported by President's Challenge this year. 100% of the donations received go towards the charities we support.