Singapore, 21 May – The Salvation Army Singapore is proud to announce the launch of its annual fundraising event, the Race for Good 2024, aimed at bringing communities together to raise funds and awareness for vulnerable individuals and families in need. This year’s event will be held on the 14^th of September at East Coast Park under the theme of “Race for Good; Race for Green and Race for Goal” and will be attended by Guest-of-Honour Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower, and celebrity guest Mediacorp Artiste Ms Paige Chua.

The Race for Good is more than just a charity race; it is an inclusive event bringing together Salvation Army beneficiaries from migrant workers to children to ex-offenders and their families, to run alongside individuals, families and corporates to give back and pay it forward. Through heart-warming interviews with beneficiaries, participants will have the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of resilience, determination, and community spirit.

In addition to the physical race on 14^th September, Salvation Army will be launching the first edition of its Virtual Race, hoping to rally friends, family and an army of worldwide supporters to run-walk 89km in honour of Salvation Army’s 89 years of serving the underprivileged in Singapore.

“Through sports we celebrate the tenacity of the human spirit and the desire to achieve excellence. Through charity, we walk alongside the vulnerable and ensure that no one gets left behind. With this race, we combine these values of tenacity, excellence and compassion,” said Colonel Hary Haran, Territory Commander of the Salvation Army. “These funds will support a wide range of causes, from active ageing support for low-income seniors to clinical counselling for children who come from backgrounds of neglect and abuse, just to name a few.”

Sharing at the launch event, celebrity guest Mediacorp Artiste Paige Chua revealed that in another life, being a social worker could have been her vocation. As a frequent volunteer, she exhorts those who hope to do their part to “give without conditions to get a sense of satisfaction” and was vocal about her own excitement for the race. “The race sounds so fun! I’ll be there!”

Participants in the Race for Good will be able to walk and run alongside beneficiaries who have overcome significant challenges, including abuse, homelessness, addiction, and poverty, with the help of the Salvation Army. These individuals are now paying it forward by participating in the event and raising funds to support the organization’s efforts to provide essential services and support to those in need.

“I used to wonder what it was like growing up in a safe and happy family. Home was never safe nor happy for me,” said Jacob*, a former child resident at Gracehaven Home, “I’ve learned to manage my frustration better and to let go of the past. Gracehaven (Salvation Army) supported me every step of the way.”

Many former beneficiaries like Jacob* have gone on to become volunteers and advocates for those who are struggling, as they once did, to emerge from the darkness of abuse, violence and poverty.

As Dr William Tan, Race for Good ambassador and Paralympian, declared in an interview at the launch, “Tough times never last. Tough people do.”

The Race for Good aims to raise $300,000 for the Salvation Army Singapore to continue their good work in providing food, shelter, counselling, and other essential services to children and youth, the elderly, ex-offenders and their families, and migrant workers.

Sponsors

The Salvation Army is proud to partner with platinum sponsor Tower Capital Asia and gold sponsors ING Bank and PSA Global, who recognise the power of community action in meeting the needs of the vulnerable in Singapore.

For more information about the Race for Good and to register, please visit theraceforgood.com

All registrations for the Race for Good and Virtual Run will be entitled to 250% tax deductions.

*Beneficiary name has been changed