Standard Chartered Bank hosted the "Ride for Sight" cycling
fundraiser in support of the visually impaired community
Kuantan, Tuesday, 30 September 2014 – Following the success of last year's "Ride for Sight", a total of 67 cycling enthusiasts from Standard Chartered Bank (Standard Chartered) all around the world, representing 7 nationalities, cycled over 500km from Kuantan to Singapore to raise USD 1 million for the Seeing is Believing (SiB) programme. All proceeds from the three-day fundraiser were channeled to the cause.
SiB, the bank's flagship global initiative, is a partnership between Standard Chartered, the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness, and leading eye-care NGOs that tackles avoidable blindness and visual impairment.
Christopher Domitter, Country Head Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Malaysia said, "We, at Standard Chartered, are always up for the challenge – especially one for a good cause. It gives us the opportunity to give back to the community that we operate in and that we are Here for Good for the people of Malaysia."
"I am delighted to say that we are on track with our fundraising drive, thanks to the generous donations from our colleagues. We would like to encourage more people to donate to the Seeing is Believing initiative," he added.
Ride for Sight was initiated in 2012 on the World Sight Day in Kuala Lumpur by a small group of cyclists from the Bank, many of whom were new to long-distance cycling. The initiative has since undertaken journeys across Malaysia with the goal of offering hope, inspiration and support to visually impaired communities.
This year, Danny Chang, Head of Managed Investments and Products Management, Standard Chartered Malaysia and co-founder of Ride for Sight, took the challenge to the next level. He completed the 500km route by riding a classic "Flying Pigeon", a single-speed vintage bicycle that weighs over 17 kg. This is a sharp contrast to the 7-kg carbon fiber, 20-speed bicycles used for long-distance cycling.
Chang, an avid cyclist, actively participates in international cycling events; such as the renowned La Marmotte, a one-day cycling sportive event in France. He said, "I am grateful for the Bank's support in helping me to balance my work commitments and personal pursuits for charity. My colleagues have also been a wonderful source of inspiration to me. In many ways, I feel blessed to be in an organisation that believes in giving back to the community that we operate in".
The cyclists also took the opportunity to visit the Ophthalmology Department of Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital where the National Lens Implant Bank (NLIB) is located. NLIB is a partner of the Standard Chartered Foundation under its Cataract Lens Programme, an initiative with the Ministry of Health. The programme aims to provide at least 4,200 cataract lens free of charge for underprivileged cataract patients across Malaysia. NLIB acts as a centre to coordinate cataract operations nationwide where to-date, over 2,000 successful cataract operations have been conducted.
For more information on the initiative, please follow the
Ride for Sight Facebook page.
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