Spirit of Hong Kong winners shine at SCMP awards dinner
Eight winners have been chosen for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards this year, organised by the South China Morning Post and were given their awards on Tuesday evening.
Eight winners have been chosen for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards this year, organised by the South China Morning Post and were given their awards on Tuesday evening at a dinner ceremony at the Conrad Hong Kong Hotel, with guest of honour Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah.
“Each and every one of the award recipients is central to the continuing success of Hong Kong as a player, a force, in the fiercely competitive global market place,” said Tsang in a speech before the ceremony.
“They remind us that Hong Kong’s human currency is no less vital than our financial capital,” he said, adding “the resilient spirit of Hong Kong is not only admirable, it is also our lasting advantage.”
It’s been really tough for our judges and the readers, I don’t envy them. The calibre of this year’s nominees was truly impressive
Dr David Pang, chairman of the SCMP Group, said, “As Hong Kong’s newspaper to the world, we have a moral and social responsibility to inform our readers not only about the trials and tribulations the city faces, but just as importantly, to direct our readers’ attention to the magnanimous spirit of Hong Kong when it is applied to support and help those less fortunate.”
Judges who voted for the majority of section winners and readers who voted for the People’s Choice Award had a tough time picking from all the deserving 24 nominees, who had previously been shortlisted.
There were scientists, courageous individuals who had overcome adversity and gone on to be role models for others, doctors who risk their lives to go into disaster and war zones to help those desperately needing help. There were the community carers – modest individuals who have dedicated hours every week to contribute for the benefit of others – and also those who have undertaken to preserve the beautiful heritage of our city and share it with others.
“Yes, it’s been really tough for our judges and the readers, I don’t envy them,” said South China Morning Post editor-in-chief Wang Xiangwei. “The calibre of this year’s nominees was truly impressive and I think this year’s format of dividing into set-skill areas also was beneficial to highlight these hardworking and visionary individuals in different parts of Hong Kong’s community.”
Our winners for this year are: Dr Poon Tak-lun, who was nominated by the Hong Kong Red Cross for his huge amount of volunteer work in the wake of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake; student Leung Siu-lun, left in a wheelchair following a devastating illness, but who went on to become a champion fencer; dedicated blood donor Li Kam-keung; Nelson Yip Siu-hong, whose cerebral palsy in childhood left him on crutches but has never held him back, riding in the Paralympics in 2008, and setting up a charity to encourage disabled people to reach their potential. Other winners included heritage fan David Bellis who has set up an extensive Hong Kong history website; Michael Tsui Kam-fai of Rehab-Robotics, who has created an innovative robotic hand to help stroke survivors rehabilitate; Law Wing-kee, a true corporate citizen who employees former offenders and also has paid for their education to further themselves, and Sheila Purves, who has spent most of the past 30 years helping train orthopaedic students and hospital workers in China in rehabilitation work. Purves is the winner of the People’s Choice Award.