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Children’s Society walkathon raises S$350k

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Children’s Society’s annual fundraiser, Walk For Our Children, has raised about S$350,000 in support of programmes for the society’s beneficiaries, who include vulnerable children, low-income families and the loved ones of prisoners, among others.

About 3,000 people took part in the Singapore Children’s Society walkathon yesterday. Funds were raised via the sale of carnival coupons and commemorative packs. Photo: Singapore Children’s Society

About 3,000 people took part in the Singapore Children’s Society walkathon yesterday. Funds were raised via the sale of carnival coupons and commemorative packs. Photo: Singapore Children’s Society

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SINGAPORE — The Singapore Children’s Society’s annual fundraiser, Walk For Our Children, has raised about S$350,000 in support of programmes for the society’s beneficiaries, who include vulnerable children, low-income families and the loved ones of prisoners, among others.

The sum is S$40,000 more than last year’s amount. “When the economy isn’t doing well, more people need help,” the organisation’s chairman, Mr Koh Choon Hui, told TODAY.

He added that the organisation helped 74,173 children, youths and families last year — about a 10 per cent increase from the number of beneficiaries in 2015.

As the organisation marks its 65th anniversary this year, its mission of bringing “happiness and relief to children in need” has not changed, Mr Koh said.

Its services have evolved, however, to meet changing needs: From pioneering after-school care services for latchkey children in the 1970s to setting up Project Cabin in the 1990s, a school-based drop-in community project providing a safe place for at-risk youth.

Going forward, the society will place greater emphasis on child and youth development, said chief executive officer Alfred Tan.

Added Mr Koh: “We can’t talk about children without family. Promoting families as the foundation of society is a key upstream preventive (measure) to make sure children who receive little family guidance — and thus are more at risk — would be inculcated with the right values.”

Yesterday’s proceeds were raised through the sale of carnival coupons, 65th anniversary commemorative packs and carnival packs at a 2.06km walkathon at Chinese Garden. About 3,000 people participated in the event.

One of the participants was Gretz Yeo, 14, who attends one of the society’s drop-in facilities, Jurong Youth Centre. Going there has helped him with family problems.

“It’s hard to communicate with my family, and I often argue with them ... The counsellors help me explain to my parents what’s going on,” said the Yuhua Secondary student, who has been spending three to four hours at the centre after school since January last year.

“Last time, after school, I just went home and slept. I usually spent time by myself. My parents would only come home from work at 6 to 7pm.”

The centre has facilities such as a pool table and an X-Box, and also offers easy access to counsellors, he said, adding that he has 25 to 30 other youths for company.

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