Press Release 2011
UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk 2011 Flagged Off!
UOB (Malaysia) staff joins colleagues from Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand in flagship fundraising initiative
Kuala Lumpur, 29 March 2011 - Close to 700 members of United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd [UOB (Malaysia)] gathered at Padang Merbok last Sunday to run for a good cause. They joined some 7,000 colleagues from the UOB family in four other countries who also flagged off their Run simultaneously.
For the first time, staff from UOB (Thai) joined their Singapore, Malaysian and Indonesia colleagues in the annual UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk, widening the reach of the Bank’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme in the region. The event was launched in Singapore in 2007, followed by Malaysia in 2008 and Indonesia in 2010.
As previous years, each staff is given a pledge card to raise as much funds as they can. Beneficiaries of UOB (Malaysia) are Protect and Save The Children Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur (P.S The Children) and Persatuan StART Selangor & Kuala Lumpur (StART Society).
StART Society was officially named as UOB Heartbeat’s beneficiary last Sunday and presented UOB (Malaysia) with two paintings in appreciation of the bank’s support towards its arts enrichment programme. UOB (Malaysia) will continue to support P.S The Children’s noble fight against child sexual abuse via its “Keeping Me Safe" programme for primary school students.
Addressing the participants of UOB Heartbeat Run/Walk 2011, Mr Chan Kok Seong, Director and CEO of UOB (Malaysia) noted that every bit of effort and cent counts when it comes to charity. In recognition of staff’s effort, the Bank will continue to contribute RM1 for every RM1 raised.
Mr Wee Ee Cheong, UOB Deputy Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, thanked all staff, business partners and corporate customers for their participation and generosity.
"I am heartened by the enthusiastic response of our employees and business partners to helping the less privileged. We hope our efforts will go some way in fulfilling the needs of the beneficiaries and empowering them to reach their fullest potential. Our CSR efforts have grown in tandem with our regional franchise and we will continue to reach out to the communities where we operate".
P.S The Children, a registered non-profit non-government organisation, was set up to create awareness on child sexual abuse; while StART Society is a non-profit organisation that has made great strides in providing free lessons in music, arts, dance and drama to underprivileged children. These programmes are in line with the Bank’s focus on the children, education and the arts.