Advertisement
Advertisement
Spirit of Hong Kong
Get more with myNEWS
A personalised news feed of stories that matter to you
Learn more
David Pang says the awards celebrate Hong Kong’s ‘can-do spirit’. Photo: Paul Yeung

Now it’s your turn to vote for your favourite in Spirit of Hong Kong Awards

Online vote, which runs until July 24, offers readers a chance to recognise an individual finalist they found the most inspiring in five non-group categories

Yu Yuet

Polls open on Monday for the People’s Choice Award in the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, organised by the South China Morning Post.

The online vote, which runs until July 24, offers readers a chance to recognise an individual finalist they found the most inspiring in the five non-group categories.

Was it “the girl behind the face” who has overcome a life-threatening skin condition, cyberbullying and discrimination? Or were you most moved by the retiree who fights his Alzheimer’s by making elderly folk smile? There’s also a determined legal studies student pursuing a bar dream despite being blind and a “green mama” devoted to fighting Hong Kong’s waste problem.

Over the past few weeks, the Post has run a series of heartwarming stories on our 26 finalists shortlisted in this year’s awards.

In addition to the People’s Choice Award, one winner will be chosen in each of seven categories: cultural preservation, innovation for good, compassion ambassador, community contribution, overcoming personal challenges, corporate citizen (group) and Lion Rock entrepreneur (group).

Anna Wu Hung-yuk, one of the eight judges who will make the final decision, said the stories of the finalists were inspirational.

“The Spirit of Hong Kong breathes the stories of those who refused to yield to the adversities in life,” she said.

“They live and thrive despite them and we need to see who they are to give our own lives meaning.”

Dr David Pang Ding-jung, chairman of Armada Holdings, formerly known as SCMP Group, said the awards programme celebrated the community aspects of Hongkongers’ “can-do spirit”.

“The can-do spirit isn’t just about making money. We also want to use it to help others, help to address social problems,” he said.

“That’s important, and we hope to use this award to really show there are many people in our society who are what we call ‘unsung heroes’.”

In his fourth year as an adjudicator, Dr Pang said he was thrilled the awards had gone from strength to strength since they launched in 2013. He believed it showed that action taken by individuals in their everyday lives were crucial in making an overall impact.

“These finalists have demonstrated that if anybody is willing to devote their heart and their time, and of course perseverance, even ordinary people can make change,” he said.

“These may well be small changes, but with the combination of all these little changes, we can really make a difference. We can make Hong Kong and the world a better place, for ourselves, for our children, for the generations to come.”

To vote in the People’s Choice Awards, please visit spiritofhk.scmp.com/vote.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: It’s your turn to vote for People’s Choice Award
Post