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

http://Give.asia/EYR2023

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.

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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 2023

• Grow the community with maximum flexibility
  Start your own fundraising initiative like Wee Khai, email contact@clubrainbow.org for more details.

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!

Scaling Everest in Singapore

Unique Fundraising: Part II

By Rachele Foo, Content Contributor

If we have to name one of the silver linings in this pandemic, it could be discovering new hobbies. Due to new social distancing rules during this pandemic, many have looked for alternative forms of entertainment, and some have turned to the outdoors to catch a breather. Through this, Ding Yang, Pete, Mark, Andre, Alvin and Jun Long became interested in cycling and formed bonds through their similar love for it. As their passion for cycling grew, they turned their hobby into something much bigger and meaningful. They decided to start a fundraiser together as Team Aweveresting, where they would raise funds by embarking on the Everesting challenge.

This idea originated from a Strava challenge. The challenge in June was to complete an elevation of

8,848m, similar to that of Mount Everest, on a bicycle, and they could clock the distance at their own pace across the entire month. As they were discussing, they mentioned in passing that they could complete the whole distance at one go. However, thinking of it just as a joke, they all laughed it off.

Then, Ding Yang decided to challenge himself and completed half of the total distance at once on his own. Seeing him achieve it, the rest of the team were motivated and hence decided to embark on the challenge where Ding Yang would attempt the entire Everesting challenge of 8,848m while the rest of the group would attempt the basecamp climb of 4,424m. For the challenge to be considered successful, they would have to finish the entire distance without sleeping.

It took them about 12h to complete the climb of 4,424m, and for the whole thing, it took Ding Yang around 30h. It was extremely gruelling for them; however, when they felt like giving up, they remembered what one of their teammates, Jun Long said,

“Our pain will last for only 1 to 2 days, but these children are facing chronic diseases, and they are battling it every day of their lives.”

The support from their family and friends who brought food to where they were attempting the challenge also greatly encouraged them.

In total, they raised $18,795, which is no small feat.

When asked why they think it is important to give back to society, one of the members mentioned that giving back to the community helps him stay humble and reminds him that there is a bigger purpose to life than just working and earning money.

Lastly, regarding whether they are planning to do this again, the team replied that they hope to do so and might even consider making it an annual event, though they might change the challenge.

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Kickstart a giving back journey to the vulnerable little ones in the community!

Your efforts will be doubled as part of the Fortitude Budget, the government is matching donations to charities dollar-for-dollar till 31 March 2022.

To better support NPOs and givers, there will be NO TRANSACTION FEES on Giving.sg till 31 March 2022. Therefore, 100% of your donations will go to Club Rainbow (Singapore).

Do contact us crscpm@clubrainbow.org and we can guide you along to begin your journey with us today.

3 Marathons . 2 Individuals . 1 Heart

Unique Fundraising: Part I

By Rachele Foo, Content Contributor

When people think of SHN, boredom often pops into mind. Not being able to leave the room for a long time is dreaded, and the one thing that people on SHN look forward to is its end. For some, however, their SHN experience was not all dreary. It was unique and meaningful. This was the case for Chris Snook.

Chris runs daily. Hence, he knew that he had to find a way to keep fit when he was notified to serve a 21-day SHN. He was originally offered an exercise bike; however, when he saw his hotel room, he was pleasantly surprised by its size and realised that it would allow him to run around the room effectively. As he started to expand on the idea, he figured that he could gauge the distance covered based on the time spent. Since he usually runs for about 6km -7km each day outside, he thought that it would be possible to cover about 6km a day in his room. Coincidentally, running about 6km a day for 21 days would mean that he covered three marathons.

As everyone knows, it is hard to stick to a routine, especially when it involves running. Hence, Chris decided to find a solution for this by doing something that would force him to commit, and that is when he came up with the idea of a SHN Marathon Challenge. During this fundraising campaign, he would run three marathons totalling 126.6km in 3 weeks, in his hotel room, without a treadmill.

As the clock was ticking, Chris quickly acted on the idea and researched possible organisations to fundraise. That was when he came across Club Rainbow. He was drawn in by the fact that Club Rainbow supports chronically ill children and their families, who are often not appreciated enough. Additionally, as he was going to raise funds for the organisation from the public, he wanted to do it for an organisation that is trustworthy and recognised for its values, and that was why he was also attracted by Club Rainbow’s governance efforts and transparency.

To increase awareness of his fundraiser, Chris quickly contacted a friend of his, Bjorn Seegers, who runs Muddy Murphy’s, an Irish pub. Bjorn was keen on the idea and hoped to spread positivity in a time of negativity. He recommended the fundraising platform and helped to set the fundraiser up. Additionally, they partnered with Heineken and Asia Pacific Breweries to give three free pints of Heineken to the donors for every $50 donated as appreciation.

During the three weeks, to remain accountable to the people who donated, Chris also recorded the distance covered, the number of steps and his speed to share on the page.

Everything went smoothly, and at the end of the 21 days, Chris celebrated the end of his SHN and the successful completion of his fundraiser.

When asked about what advice he would give to others considering setting up their fundraiser, Chris mentioned that it is important to find a charity that subscribes to the values one personally embraces. Additionally, anyone considering a fundraiser has to be respectful and not pressure others into donating because everyone faces challenges that you might not be aware of - every donation, no matter how big or small, matters.

Chris shares his marathon route in a hotel room …

Lastly, running barefoot in the room is more comfortable than running with trainers. In case you are thinking of being the next SHN fundraiser!

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Kickstart a giving back journey to the vulnerable little ones in the community!

Your efforts will be doubled as part of the Fortitude Budget, the government is matching donations to charities dollar-for-dollar till 31 March 2022.

To better support NPOs and givers, there will be NO TRANSACTION FEES on Giving.sg till 31 March 2022. Therefore, 100% of your donations will go to Club Rainbow (Singapore).

Do contact us crscpm@clubrainbow.org and we can guide you along to begin your journey with us today.

Little in appearance, big in heart

Three young children, one common goal. Acts of compassion and service are slowly but surely growing among young children.

Mr Andrew Yeo with daughter, Charlotte Yeo.

While packing up her room one day, 9-year-old Charlotte Yeo suggested donating her toys – some of which were new – to charity. That was when her father, Andrew Yeo, suggested holding a garage sale instead, in conjunction with her C for Charity project.

C for Charity was initiated by Andrew, who wishes to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism into Charlotte. Funds will be raised through activities calling for donations (e.g. rollerblading for 10km), garage sales, bake sales, and sale of crafts such as handmade jewellery or slime.

The father-daughter duo aims to raise $1,000 for Club Rainbow by the end of this year. “$1,000 isn’t a lot, but it is something I would like to start my daughter with,” Andrew said.

As a young girl, Charlotte already practices empathy to those who are less fortunate than her. She believes that no form of help is too little, as long as it makes an impact on others’ lives.

The rollerblading enthusiast has taken a page out of her father’s book, as Andrew also strongly believes in volunteerism. “Many of us live in a very comfortable world in Singapore. Sometimes we do forget that there are those who need more help than others,” Andrew shared.  

Charlotte is just one of many children who have come forward to support their less fortunate counterparts. Zoe, who is 9 years old as well, raised $3,000 from her self-initiated fundraising campaign where she baked cookies and created arts and crafts items to gift donors.

Zoe Tan, 9-year-old raised funds through baked cookies. She created arts and crafts items to gift donors.

“There is so much we can do to support the less fortunate children and those whose family has to carry a great burden to work for hard-earned money and has to instead pay for school fees, medical expenses and much more,” Zoe said.

“She has learnt a lot about the different types of needs and difficulties that children and families might experience, as well as different ways in which one could be of service to others,” Zoe’s mum shared.

Raising money, let alone a 6-digit sum, may seem like an almost impossible feat to young children who have barely passed the first decade of their lives.

10-year-old Chng Rui Jie raised a combined sum of $250,000 for beneficiaries of various charities, most significantly, rabbits.

According to Channel News Asia, SPCA and Care Singapore are among the 18 organisations Rui Jie has helped raised funds for.

To date, Rui Jie has raised $6000 for Club Rainbow through her online campaign - ‘I Pray for Hope’.

Her campaign frenzy was ignited by her desire to help hungry rabbits, and her most successful campaign thus far raised more than $56,000 for Primary One to Two children as part of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. 

Titled “I Pray for Hope”, the campaign Rui Jie started for Club Rainbow raised $6,000 to date.

“As a young girl, I think rainbows represent hope, and everyone should have a chance to receive and experience hope.”

All the money raised for Club Rainbow will be used to finance our children’s weekly therapy services, development programmes and provide financial assistance for their families.

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If you are inspired and excited to start your first fundraising campaign, do contact us at crscpm@clubrainbow.org, and we will be happy to assist you.

Your efforts will be doubled as part of the Fortitude Budget, where the government is matching donations to charities dollar-for-dollar till 31 March 2022.