UOB Heartbeat Run/ Walk raises over 530 million VND for disadvantaged children in Vietnam's Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 08 August 2023 - The 6th annual UOB Heartbeat Run/ Walk event in Vietnam was marked a resounding success this year, as more than 2,000 UOB Vietnam employees, along with their families, customers, and business partners rallied together and raised a record of more than VND 530 million to improve digital learning condition of disadvantaged children in Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Mr Victor Ngo, CEO of UOB Vietnam led colleagues, customers, partners, and their family members at the start line, ready for the 10km run of the UOB Heartbeat Run/ Walk Event
The UOB Global Heartbeat Run/ Walk is an annual flagship volunteering and fundraising event held by UOB across 18 markets globally. The funds raised will be donated to charities around the world to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and vulnerable communities. Since 2007, the UOB Global Heartbeat Run/ Walk has raised more than $20 million Singapore dollars to help improve the lives of communities in-need and support causes that are aligned to the bank’s corporate social responsibility focus areas of art, children and education.
This year, the 17th edition of the flagship programme is held in Singapore and six other markets, namely China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
In Vietnam, the physical run/ walk event was held on Sunday, 6 August 2023 with more than 2,000 participants participating in either a three-kilometre run/walk, a five-kilometre run or a ten-kilometre run at Sala Urban Area, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Participants were also invited to join fun games and activities catered for both children and adults, including a garage sale of items donated by UOB Vietnam colleagues to raise funds for the UOB Heartbeat Fund.
More than 2,000 UOB Vietnam employees, along with their families, customers, and business partners rallied together at the 2023 UOB Global Heartbeat Run/Walk event in Vietnam
Building on the successful virtual editions in the past three years, this year’s Run/Walk also comprised a virtual component opened to UOB colleagues and their families. For a period of two months since 14 June 2023, the Virtual Challenge in Vietnam saw more than 370 participants running, walking and cycling over 4,000 kilometres. For every kilometre achieved, UOB Vietnam will donate VND 20,000 to the UOB Heartbeat Fund in Vietnam.
This year, the UOB Heartbeat Run/ Walk event in Vietnam raised more than 530 million Vietnam Dong. In line with the Bank’s brand promise to do right by its communities, the funds raised in Vietnam will be channelled to help disadvantaged children and promote digital education. The key local beneficiary - Saigon Children’s Charity CIO will use the funds to equip a much-needed computer room for 450 students at Tri Ton Primary School in An Giang province. This is part of a five-year project by UOB, in partnership with Saigon Children's Charity, to facilitate a total of five computer rooms across schools in the Mekong Delta area.
Mr Victor Ngo, CEO of UOB Vietnam presented the cheque for the funds raised from the UOB Heartbeat Run/ Walk to Ms Vuong Ngoc Vy Van, Head of Fundraising and Communications of Saigon Children’s Charity CIO at the event
Mr Victor Ngo, CEO of UOB, shared, "At UOB, our commitment is to bring long-term value to the community where we operate. This year marks 30 years of UOB presence and operation in Vietnam. On this occasion, we are very pleased to partner Saigon Children’s Charity CIO to equip computer rooms for five schools in the Mekong Delta. We believe that digital education is a powerful tool that empowers communities and paves the way for a brighter future of young students. By coming together to support this cause, we aim to empower the next generation with essential digital skills, so that they can be future-ready in the digital economy."
Ms Vuong Ngoc Vy Van, Head of Fundraising and Communications of Saigon Children’s Charity CIO, said, "UOB has made a long-term commitment to help disadvantaged children in Vietnam. The partnership with Saigon Children’s Charity to equip computer rooms in schools across the Mekong Delta would benefit disadvantaged communities as the world embraces digital transformation. The efforts we make today will give a generation of children the skills they need to succeed in their education and future employment."
The UOB Global Heartbeat Run/ Walk is an integral part of the UOB Heartbeat Corporate Social Responsibility programme, dedicated to creating sustainable social good through corporate philanthropy, stakeholder engagement and active employee participation. Over the years, the UOB Heartbeat programme has shown its dedication to promoting a more caring and inclusive society across the region. Guided by the Bank’s values of Honour, Enterprise, Unity and Commitment, UOB draws together colleagues, customers and business partners to make a positive difference to our communities.