UOB keeps the good going by raising record $1.86 million for charities through the 2021 UOB Global Heartbeat Virtual Run/Walk

Mr Wee Ee Cheong, UOB’s Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (centre), and UOB senior leaders rally colleagues, their families and customers globally to support the community through the UOB Global Heartbeat Virtual Run/Walk

Singapura, Jakarta, 8 Oktober 2021 – UOB colleagues, their families and customers across 17 markets united to raise a record $1.86 million for charities through the Bank’s flagship annual fund-raising event, the UOB Global Heartbeat Virtual Run/Walk. The funds raised will be donated to 25 charities around the world to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and vulnerable communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Indonesia, more than 650 colleagues of UOB Indonesia and their families participated in event. Together, they raised more than IDR130 million which will go towards Mari Berbagi Seni Foundation, an art education programme focused on local art and culture, to help 100 orphanage children impacted by Covid-19 including art therapy sessions and workshops namely Creative Digital Pod.

Wee Ee Cheong, UOB’s Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The giving nature of UOB colleagues, their families and customers has been the constant driving force behind our efforts to help those in need within our communities. In this time of exceptional challenges, I am heartened by and grateful to the UOB family and our customers for going the extra mile in this year’s UOB Global Heartbeat Virtual Run/Walk. The record amount that we raised collectively will hopefully make a meaningful difference to the lives of those impacted by COVID-19, especially disadvantaged children and vulnerable members of our communities.”

Hendra Gunawan, President Director, UOB Indonesia, said, “Every year, our colleagues are doing their part for the community. Even during the pandemic, they are going extra mile through the UOB Global Heartbeat Virtual Run/Walk to help our local community emerge from this pandemic stronger. I am grateful that even during these hard times, we are still able to unite and to support the less fortunate children to have access to art therapy sessions that will be beneficial for their well-being in the future.”

This year marks the 15th edition of UOB’s annual flagship volunteerism and fundraising event and the second time it is being held virtually for participants globally to take part safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on last year’s successful event, UOB expanded the participation criteria for this year’s two-month virtual event to encourage colleagues and their families to accumulate active hours through various fitness activities including running, ball games, yoga and more. By enabling participants to choose their favourite physical activity, the UOB Global Heartbeat Virtual Run/Walk inspired colleagues to stay active for a good cause while taking care of their mental well-being amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The collective spirit of UOB colleagues saw participants clocking almost 80,000 active hours, surpassing the Bank’s target by more than 50 per cent.

As part of UOB’s commitment to forge a sustainable future, the Bank also launched the UOB Heartbeat Pledge to encourage colleagues to do good and to go green through thoughtful personal actions at home or at work. UOB colleagues contributed more than 3,700 pledges in July and August with the aim of conserving resources, reducing waste and uplifting communities which are aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For example, some UOB employees have pledged to reduce their shower time by two minutes, potentially saving 1,785 litres of water each time, while others are committed towards choosing energy efficient devices and household appliances, reducing unnecessary printing and acting with kindness and compassion.

2021 UOB Global Heartbeat Virtual Run/Walk beneficiaries