Singapore Airlines' SG50 Events Help Raise $2.5 Million For Community Chest

02 November 2014 - Through two major fundraising events held in the lead-up to Singapore’s 50th birthday in 2015, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has donated about $2.5 million to Community Chest. The donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Singapore Government under the national Care & Share Movement, lifting total funds raised to about $5 million, doubling the benefit to the less privileged. The matched amount will go towards building the capabilities and capacities of the social service sector to meet rising needs.

The SIA Charity Run, the second of the two events, was flagged off this morning at the F1 Pit Building by Guest of Honour, Minister for Manpower Mr Tan Chuan-Jin. Incorporating a 10km Competitive Run, a 5km Fun Run and a Kids Dash, the aviation-themed Charity Run attracted some 13,000 participants and raised a total of $1.22 million. SIA Chairman Mr Stephen Lee presented the cheque of $2.5 milllion representing funds raised from the two events to Community Chest Chairman, Mr Phillip Tan, at a ceremony held at the end of the Charity Run this morning.

Earlier in October, Singapore Airlines hosted a Charity Gala Dinner, graced by Emeritus Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong. In addition to table sales, live and silent auctions were held over the course of the evening to help raise $1.28 million for Community Chest’s many programmes.

Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong, said: “Through the collective efforts of our staff, unions and management who volunteered their time to make these two flagship events a success, the SIA Group is pleased to be giving back to the community by helping to raise funds for the less advantaged. We are most grateful for the support provided by members of the public as well as from our loyal customers and the wider aviation community, who all came together to help raise funds for those in need in the lead-up to Singapore’s 50th birthday next year.”

Community Chest Chairman, Mr Phillip Tan, added: “We are deeply grateful for SIA’s continued support towards our beneficiaries over the years. In this special year of the Care & Share Movement, SIA rallied its staff, partners and the community through not just one, but two major events that touched the hearts of different audiences – an aviation-themed Charity Run and an exquisite Charity Gala Dinner. These events allowed the volunteerism mindset and fund-raising opportunities to continue into 2015, as the nation celebrates Singapore’s 50th birthday in the true spirit of caring and sharing.”