POSB PAssion Run for Kids 2011 charity event draws over 7,200 runners to raise funds for underprivileged children

Singapore, 17 Sep 2011 - Running fever has caught on again among kids in Singapore. Come this Sunday, 6-year-old Charlize, 9-year-old Charlotte and 12-year-old Charmaine will be taking part in their first ever competitive run to support the POSB PAssion Kids Fund, accompanied by their parents and 65-year-old proud grandmother.

More than 7,200 runners, including 3,100 children, are demonstrating support for underprivileged children by running in the third annual POSB PAssion Run for Kids*. Jointly organised by POSB and the People’s Association (PA) this year, the Run will be flagged off at East Coast Park on Sunday, 18 September 2011.

The POSB PAssion Run for Kids underscores POSB’s and the PA’s commitment to strengthen community bonds. Together, the two organisations have established the POSB PAssion Kids Fund to support grassroots organisations in their outreach programmes for children.

In support of the fund, many of POSB’s corporate sponsors such as IBM Singapore, Vitol Asia Pte Ltd and Far East Organization have generously pledged donations. Staff members from some of these partners will join about 1,800 DBS and POSB employees, to take part in the Run. The bank’s staff and customers have also made personal contributions to the Fund. As of today, more than $380,000 has been raised. DBS and POSB customers can continue to donate to the fund via internet banking until 30 September, 2011.

Said Mr Koh Kar Siong, Head of POSB, “This is the third year POSB is organising the run and it is heartwarming to see families, friends and neighbours, from 7 months old to 77 years old, bonding over this event. I am also pleased to have PA come onboard as our partner for the POSB PAssion Run for Kids and to establish the POSB PAssion Kids Fund. Both organisations are committed to community building activities. By leveraging on each other’s strengths, we will be able to reach out to more Singaporeans to forge stronger ties within the community and to provide greater support for children."

Sharing similar community values, POSB and PA seek to encourage and inspire other organisations and the public to help make a positive difference in the lives of underprivileged children. By adopting a ‘Many Helping Hands’ approach, the aim is to increase resources available to children from needy or disadvantaged backgrounds.

The POSB PAssion Run for Kids has been put together by many who have volunteered their time; they include the Geylang Serai grassroots organisations and students from various schools and polytechnic. It presents an excellent platform for the community to get together to work towards a common goal in helping needy children.

Ms Jasmine Kwok, Director (Membership & Partnership) of PA shared her thoughts on the fund, “With the POSB PAssion Kids Fund, our grassroots organisations will have another resource to tap on to come up with new and innovative initiatives to expand their community engagements with children including those from needy families.”

Minister Lim Swee Say, the Deputy Chairman of the PA, will grace the event to flag off the run with DBS Chairman Peter Seah. In addition to the Run, the public can expect fun-filled activities at a carnival manned by DBS and POSB staff. All proceeds from the carnival will go towards the POSB PAssion Kids Fund.

* Formerly known as the POSB Run for Kids, POSB and its corporate partners raised $250,000 and $325,000 in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Details of the event are as follows:

Event : POSB PAssion Run for Kids
Date : 18 September 2011
Time : 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. (Media is invited at 8.00 a.m.)
Venue : Playground @ BigSplash,
902 East Coast Parkway Singapore 449874

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About POSB

A part of the DBS Group, POSB is the largest local bank in Singapore with close to 4 million customers. Having served generations of Singaporeans for the past 134 years, it is known as the "People's Bank", and prides itself in being "neighbours first, bankers second".

With a good understanding of Singaporeans through the years, POSB offers products and services that are relevant to the savings, borrowing, investment and insurance needs of all Singaporeans. With 51 branches conveniently located islandwide, and over 1,300 ATMs and Cash Acceptance Machines across the island, POSB's distribution network is the largest in Singapore.

POSB acknowledges the passion, commitment and can-do spirit in each of its staff. For more information, please visit https://www.posb.com.sg/.

About the POSB PAssion Kids Fund

The POSB PAssion Kids Fund will support the development of innovative and meaningful community programmes for children up to age 16 as identified by grassroots organisations. One project that will be started from the fund is the Eunos Young Arrows Club by the Geylang Serai GROs. The Club will reach out to children from needy families and provide them with free weekly tuition sessions, workshops and other sports and recreational activities. The programmes, events and activities will be designed to promote community bonding, encourage more interactions as well as building friendships and neighbourliness between children, their families and the community. Other than benefiting from the programmes and activities established through the Fund, children will also be encouraged to give back to the community by getting involved in community outreach programmes.

For more information, please visit www.posb.com.sg/runforkids. Donations to the POSB PAssion Kids Fund can be made through DBS/POSB Internet Banking via Bill Payment (Select POSB PAssion Run for Kids) until 30th September.

About People’s Association

The People's Association's mission is to build and to bridge communities in achieving one people, one Singapore. We do this through our network of 2,000 grassroots organisations, five Community Development Councils, the National Youth Council, National Community Leadership Institute, Outward Bound Singapore and Water-Venture. More information at www.pa.gov.sg.

About PAssion Card Membership Programme

The PAssion Card is certainly more than just another privilege or discount card; it serves the unique purpose of connecting members of the public with their community by engaging them via a host of exciting and wholesome activities organized by Community Clubs (CCs) and other PA outlets.

In November 2009, PA enhanced the PAssion Card with the ez-link function. The PAssion ez-link Card is a 5-yr membership with the Contactless e-Purse Applications (CEPAS) payment function. The PAssion ez-link Card can be utilised for public transport (MRT, buses, SMRT taxis) and motoring needs (acceptance at selected car parks and ERP payment for cars with new IU); payment and discounts at all 105 Community Clubs (CCs) & PA Water-Venture outlets for courses, activities & facilities rental; micro payments and privileges at many retail outlets across the island, which includes earning and redeeming TapForMore loyalty points by shopping at any Cold Storage, Market Place, Shop N Save, Giant and Guardian Health & Beauty stores.

From 1 August 2011, all PAssion ez-link Card Members will enjoy free NLB Premium Membership (valued at $21 a year) which entitles PAssion ez-link Card Members to borrow EIGHT (8) library items, comprising a maximum of FOUR music scores/audio-visual materials from the lending section of the 24 public libraries.

As of 1 September 2011, there are more than 990,000 PAssion Card Members consisting of youths, working adults, families and senior citizens. For more information, please visit www.PAssionCard.com.sg.