#R2FR: Cycle Uncles 2.0
Speaking with Mr Jimmy Kwang, a team member of Cycle Uncles 2.0, we learned what
drives him to give back to the community.
CRS: How did you find out about RFR?
JK: I got to know RFR from a team member, who has been a regular rider for many years. As friends, we all supported him as an individual rider. Only last year did we officially form a team together. We thought that doing things together as a group was more exciting and that together as a team, we could contribute back to the community more significantly.
CRS: How big is your team and are you inviting more friends to join you by signing up for RFR?
Jimmy (left) with members of Cycle Uncles 2.0
JK: This year, our team has expanded to 6 members - an addition of 2 from 2022. We are all friends who share similar traits; former IBMers & colleagues from the same exercise groups on Sundays. Chin Hui and I have been friends for at least 20 years. Although we have moved on to different careers and lives, we continue to keep in contact as a group and try to meet at least once a week to keep fit and have makan sessions together.
CRS: What is your/your team’s training routine?
JK: We don’t have a fixed routine, but we do try to alternate our activities every week - between riding, cycling, and brisk walking. We typically cycle casually for 35-40km around East Coast Park (ECP) or the PCN route. Other times, our cycling route would either be along the east, towards Changi Village, or westbound towards Kallang. It always varies because we like to search for eatery spots. However, we do cycle very early in the morning so some eateries may not be open.
CRS: Did you/your team set any goals for Ride and Ralk for Rainbows 2023 (#R2FR)?
JK: I believe that as a group, we would use our network to solicit more donors. In terms of our team’s goals, we are simply trying to accomplish our initial target. Now, we are smashing our initial target, hence, we plan to double the amount. I would say that we are quite aggressive considering we are all salespeople in a technology industry. From that, we are very passionate about creating a new baseline for the team to achieve.
CRS: What is something you would like to share with everyone who has yet to sign up for R2FR?
JK: From my perspective, it is dependent on the individual’s passion to give back to the community and generally what the whole event is all about. Fundamentally, it's also about creating awareness and in this case, supporting children with lifelong illnesses.
Personally, after completing my medical treatments and gaining my health back last year, it has become my drive to give back to the community. This is because life is always going to be challenging, however, there will always be someone who is in need more than myself, and you. With this, I believe people can still benefit from me - even just a little.
- Jimmy, Cycle Uncles 2.0
CRS: Could you share words of encouragement for our beneficiaries and their families?
JK: Perseverance is very important. I am a firm believer in the mindset that “The cup is always half full” - as opposed to being half empty. From this, we need to look at things differently and always view challenges and life from a positive perspective. There will always be opportunities and potential for us. Believe in hope, and not give up on it.
You can make a difference
even though you are not a Rider or Ralker.
Support Ride and Ralk for Rainbows and make a difference today
Local Running Community with Big Hearts
Speaking with Mr Pang Wee Khai, Founder of Enjoy Your Run, we learnt why and how Wee Khai (WK) supports Club Rainbow (Singapore) (CRS).
CRS: How did the group *Enjoy Your Run* come about?
EYR Team at East Coast Park
WK: Enjoy Your Run (EYR) came about during COVID-19 and the relaxation of the control measures. There was also generally more interest in fitness and wellness. A group of friends with some running background came together and decided that it was perhaps more enjoyable to exercise as a group for motivation because running at times requires tremendous discipline to follow through. So that was how we started to gather in small groups in July 2021, on a monthly basis at East Coast Park. It gradually became a weekly gathering for the passionate runners in the group.
Over time, EYR grew organically both in number of active members and the fitness goals achieved. Besides improving general health, several runners smashed their limitations and set new personal records for running - from middle distances to ultra-marathons. What seemed impossible was made a reality due to the strong bonding and teamwork at EYR, both on and off the running course.
CRS: Why have you decided to raise funds for the children of Club Rainbow, and is there any meaning behind the campaign title "Let the children run"?
EYR founder, Pang Wee Khai
WK: I came across Club Rainbow at NUH when my firstborn was born with a genetic condition many years ago. Although we did not engage their services at that time, we came to know about the existence of such charitable organisations, which provide support to families whose children suffer from chronic illnesses. Due to personal experience, it was meaningful to be able to raise funds for an organisation close to our hearts. In fact, there were two online campaigns done previously before the first group effort in 2022 ->
https://www.giving.sg/campaigns/raceto40-marathon-club-rainbow
https://www.giving.sg/campaigns/bryceton-goes-for-10k
Campaign: EYR 2023
CRS: Have your group encountered any challenges in your fundraising journey and how did you overcome those challenges?
WK: Generally, friends are supportive of our collective effort. Of course, there are also many other fundraising campaigns out there. It is more about creating awareness and being sincere about what and why we do it.
In terms of challenges, it is inevitable that injuries may happen in the course of getting stronger and fitter. Like all dream journeys, we may face unforeseen circumstances on the road to better health, especially because many teammates are busy working parents. We learn to be patient and share our burdens with each other. In comparison, the children and families of Club Rainbow go through much tougher challenges, which few people can fully comprehend -- we keep this awareness close to our hearts as we fundraise for their cause.
CRS: How do you shout out for your campaign?
WK: We have been periodically creating awareness on our social media whenever the situation allows. It was also great that we had help with dollar-for-dollar matching by Tote Board, which gives friends more reasons to support our effort.
Inspired by Wee Khai’s initiative? You can start your fundraising journey with us today!
For the least effort in managing initiatives and maximum fun
Fundraise through Ride and Ralk for Rainbows 2023Grow the community with maximum flexibility
Start your own fundraising initiative like Wee Khai, email contact@clubrainbow.org for more details.
Dreaming The Future!
1, 2, 3! and we are in 2023!
In a blink of an eye, we have concluded our 30th-anniversary celebrations with three cheers! Hooray!
Looking back over three decades, we have served numerous children with chronic illnesses and their families. Some of who have made a tremendous breakthrough and become independent, active contributors to the community whilst co-existing with lifelong illnesses. Others have gone before us, having loved ones work through grief and loss workshops with the support of Club Rainbow’s dedicated team of social workers.
From caring for the beneficiaries’ well-being and basic needs to ensuring the deliverance of relevant services based on curated individualised care plans, we see harmonious collaboration between caregivers, social workers and supporting partners. Last year, we welcomed the opening of Sandbox where the heart of creativity, confidence and talents are discovered and nurtured through various programmes held at the centre. Believing in equal opportunities for beneficiaries with medical conditions or developmental issues, the launch of the early childhood programme prepares children for school in areas like reading, writing, etc. The programme embodies our values of respect and resilience, providing a sense of belonging for the beneficiaries all while preparing the children for compulsory education. It ran its first intake in January 2022 and is in its 3rd run this year.
Before the yearend, we introduced a new 3-part series programme under Vocational Development, Bake under the Rainbow. The new initiative covered the basics from Food Safety, Baking sessions to the Bake Sale. The first run of the bake sale was in conjunction with Ride For Rainbows 2022 and the 30th Anniversary Birthday Bash at the Marina Barrage.
Truly this is the ecosystem we want for the children and their families. Dreaming the future with a network of support from the community who comes together as donors, volunteers, partners and corporate to pull resources from various aspects to engage with the beneficiaries and their families.
We have come this far, so what’s next?
Look out for
• New charity merchandise coming in Q2 2023!
• Pre-order of patisserie by our very own caregivers.
• More events coming back, and more volunteer opportunities!
• And what is #CRSUnited? Find out in our next news scoop!
To support our initiatives, begin your journey with us by contacting us via contact@clubrainbow.org.
Sign up for our newsletter and stay updated on the progress of the children and their families!
Ride for Rainbows 2022 and 30th Anniversary Birthday Bash
Club Rainbow (Singapore)’s biggest event of the year, Ride for Rainbows 2022 and the 30th Anniversary Birthday Bash have successfully concluded on 27 November 2022.
The physical Ride for Rainbows is back after being virtual for 2 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic!
In conjunction with Club Rainbow (Singapore)’s 30th Anniversary, this year's edition for Ride for Rainbows is met with a hybrid format, giving our riders the flexibility to participate in a physical or virtual ride. We also had a birthday bash carnival with a tons of carnival games and rides at the end of the physical ride to celebrate this very special day and spend a fun filled day with our beneficiaries and their families!
On that day, there were over 600 participants and volunteers who turned up at Marina Barrage. This includes 78 families, close to 200 riders and over 100 staff and volunteers.
With that, we would like to take this opportunity to express our utmost gratitude to all our supporting parties, including our beneficiaries and their families, sponsors, riders, donors, staff and volunteers! This event would not be possible without everyone’s help and support.
We hope to see you all again for Ride for Rainbows next year!
Please email rfr@clubrainbow.org to be a part of Ride for Rainbows next year!