SINGAPORE — Some 7,200 people took part in the ComChest Heartstrings Walk this morning (Aug 18).

The event comprised a four-kilometre fun walk at Marina Bay, which drew some 7,000 participants and a vertical marathon at Marina Bay Sands Hotel that attracted over 150 participants.

Those who scaled 57 storeys in the vertical race capped their experience with a bird’s eye view of the Singapore skyline at Sands SkyPark.

Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing, who was the guest-of-honour, joined the fun walk.

ComChest said there has been an increase of 70 per cent in the number of participants from its corporate partners in this year’s event, compared to the previous year.

5,200 of the participants came from 67 companies and other organisations, while 680 beneficiaries and caregivers were at the fun walk, twice the number who took part last year. Of those, 17 beneficiaries took part in the vertical marathon, including those with disability.

The beneficiaries and caregivers came from 14 charities supported by ComChest. They serve a range of needs, from tailored education for children, to care for lonely and frail seniors.

ComChest said it raised S$1.35 million through today’s event.

ComChest said that this year, it will channel S$24 million from various fund-raising efforts throughout the year to help these charities deliver critical social services. CHANNEL NEWSASIA