Singapore, 9 June 2024 – This weekend, Assisi Fun Day 2024, the biggest fundraising event for Assisi Hospice made its annual return. Over 300 CDL Group employees volunteered their time and heart to champion this meaningful cause, with a goal of raising S$1 million to support the care of Assisi Hospice's patients and their families. Held at SJI International, the event was graced by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development and Ms Ho Ching, Patron of Assisi Hospice.
A key highlight of the event was the CDL Challenge – Rice for Hope, a special charity segment which alone raised over S$200,000 from CDL's staff and business partners. During the Challenge, various CDL staff, including the whole senior management team, formed two teams and competed in a relay to transport 10 kg bags of rice across 30 metres within eight minutes. Led by CDL Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Sherman Kwek, and Group Chief Operating Officer Mr Kwek Eik Sheng, both teams raced against time and moved over 100 bags (over 1,000 kg) of rice, which will be donated by CDL to a local food charity, Food from the Heart.
Mr Sherman Kwek, CDL Group CEO, said, "As a homegrown corporation, we have been actively supporting our community through various outreach and engagement initiatives. I am deeply heartened by the strong turnout and support from our CDL family, and the generous contributions from our business associates, friends and the community. The funds raised today will go towards helping Assisi Hospice sustain its impactful work and tireless efforts in caring for patients. Every little step makes a difference, and we hope to inspire more to support this meaningful cause."
Initiated in 2017 by Mr Kwek, the CDL Challenge has helped raise funds to support the care of Assisi Hospice's patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, the Assisi Fun Day event took on a virtual format where the CDL Group continued to help raise funds through e-stalls and rallied donations from their stakeholders. Last year, Assisi Fun Day resumed physically after a three-year hiatus and the CDL Challenge comprised a bubble soccer match.
As the event's co-organiser, the CDL group set up nine stalls at the carnival – four by CDL employee volunteers, four by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Limited (M&C) hotels, and one by sister company Hong Leong Finance, selling an array of delectable F&B items. CDL's subsidiary CBM Pte Ltd, the facilities partner of the event, contributed manpower and expertise in areas such as logistics, cleaning, and security.
Six M&C hotels – Copthorne King's Hotel Singapore, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore, M Hotel Singapore, Orchard Hotel Singapore, M Social Singapore, and Studio M Hotel – also sponsored F&B and hotel vouchers as lucky draw prizes.
Assisi Hospice provides palliative care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, caring for them and their families. As a charity organisation, the hospice relies heavily on public donations to meet operating expenses, to provide for the needs of their patients.
Visit the Assisi Hospice website to find out how you can help.