PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE 2008 KICKS OFF WITH “WALK WITH A HEART, PADDLE WITH PASSION”

President S R Nathan launched the President’s Challenge 2008 (PC 2008) on 19 April 2008 at 4.45 pm, at the Bedok Reservoir Park. The launch was held in conjunction with People Association’s (PA) community event, “Walk With A Heart, Paddle With Passion”. This marks the ninth consecutive year of the President’s Challenge. 

2       President S R Nathan said, “President’s Challenge-related events and activities span almost an entire year, raising awareness of the beneficiaries among the public, and providing more opportunities for the public to give their time and resources to various causes. Last year, 260,000 people came forward to support PC 2007. I applaud our partner organisers who have begun to involve more staff and their families in PC events.” 

3       The PC 2008 Launch reached out to 8,000 Singaporeans. Kick-starting the Launch was the Community Sports Festival, where participants of all ages took part in a Walk-A-Jog segment. President S R Nathan also flagged off the PA-CDC President’s Challenge Race, which comprised six 10-men crew dragon boats led by the five District Mayors, and a fleet led by PA’s Chief Executive Director.

4       This year’s President’s Challenge aims to reach out to more than 260,000 people.  PC 2008 also targets to raise at least $8 million again this year. The events will be held from 19 April 2008 till the end of the year.

5       Some organisations have been continuously supporting the President’s Challenge through the past eight years. In addition, schools, institutions of higher learning, private corporations and public service organisations are also organising various fund-raising and volunteer activities in support of PC 2008. The current list of events and activities under this year’s President’s Challenge is attached as Annex A.

6       Apart from regular sponsors such as Microsoft, Singapore Press Holdings and Singapore Polytechnic, which has shown strong support for past instalments of President’s Challenge, PC 2008 will also see some new faces joining its stable of corporate sponsors. Among these is Keppel Group which will be holding a charity golf event at the Tanah Merah Country Club on 29 Aug 2008. 

7       The public can visit the President’s Challenge official website, http://www.pc.org.sg to make online donations via credit card. Alternatively, they may choose to make their donations via cheques.

8       Cheques should be made payable to “President’s Challenge 2008” and mailed to: