Hong Kong insurance group staff defy cold in hot pursuit of charity funds
Insurance staff stay on track at Happy Valley Racecourse to reach goal of HK$150,000 - and company will double the total for campaign
It was probably not the best weather for running on this mid-December day. The temperature had dropped 5 degrees from the warm and sunny 20 degrees Celsius two days earlier and the occasional drizzle didn't help make the day more enjoyable.
But rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the 56 employees of insurer AIA Group. They braved the chilly wind as they stood on the running track at the Happy Valley Racecourse. Indeed, with many in sleeveless shirts and shorts, running was their best hope at keeping themselves from shivering. And it was all for a good cause.
With a target of finishing 250 laps, which adds up to a total of 350 kilometres, they hoped to raise at least HK$150,000 for annual fundraising campaign Operation Santa Claus, co-organised by the and RTHK.
No matter how much the group raised, the figure will double as AIA will chip in the same amount.
"This is a way of getting us together before Christmas to do something which would keep us fit," said Paul Hughes, AIA's group head of underwriting and claims. "To do it for a good cause is always better than not."
This is the first year AIA has joined the campaign. The team, including Hughes, eventually achieved 315 laps (441 kilometres) after two hours of running, which is an average of almost six laps for each person.
Last year, the company organised its first charity run, spearheaded by running enthusiast Hughes, with 32 participants finishing a total of 137 laps (192 kilometres) and raising HK$130,000 for the Children's Cancer Foundation.
Simeon Preston, AIA's group chief operations officer and a frequent runner who also joined the charity run, said that Operation Santa Claus was a "clear choice" for the company this year because they wanted to find a local charity that focuses on helping a variety of local communities.
"It resonates well with us, the way it helps local communities, and children specifically," said Preston.
After a marathon of fundraising, the money raised will be allocated to 20 local charities.
Preston said the company was happy with its money going to any of the charities.
"We are all very privileged people. We all have jobs," said Preston. "But there are many people out there who don't have so much money or hope, perhaps. And if we can do a little thing to make a little difference in their lives, that's what we are all about. Our tagline is a real life company, and this is real life. The real life isn't always lovely."
- Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com/donate
- Donate at an ATM or any branch of HSBC (account number 502-676299-001 for SCMP Charities Ltd - Operation Santa Claus)
- You can donate with a cheque payable to "SCMP Charities Ltd - Operation Santa Claus" and mail it to: Operation Santa Claus, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, New Territories.
- Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you would like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt to the address above.
- Please call 26808159 or e-mail [email protected] with any inquiries, or visit us online at osc.scmp.com
