• 5,000 participants flagged off by DPM Teo Chee Hean, NTUC FairPrice and NTUC FairPrice Foundation Chairman Mr Ng Ser Miang, and IOC President Dr Jacques Rogge

Some 5,000 participants and 1,000 NTUC FairPrice staff, together with their families, business partners and associates, took part in NTUC FairPrice’s inaugural walking event, “FairPrice Walks With U” today at Marina Barrage. The event is organised to promote healthy lifestyle and family bonding among Singaporeans.

To celebrate the inaugural occasion, NTUC FairPrice and NTUC FairPrice Foundation Chairman Mr Ng Ser Miang handed over a cheque for $1 million worth of FairPrice food vouchers to Guest-of-Honour, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Teo Chee Hean at the event. The donation will help low-income families with their daily needs as part of the FairPrice Food Voucher Scheme.

The FairPrice Foundation had initially pledged to donate $100 in food vouchers for each registered participant in this event, which amounts to $500,000. However with all 5,000 slots taken up, the Foundation decided to double the donation instead to $1 million.

Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of NTUC FairPrice and NTUC FairPrice Foundation said, “FairPrice is privileged to organise this event that not only promotes family and community bonding in a fun and healthy walk, but also provides participants with the chance to do their part for the less fortunate. In response to the overwhelming support, FairPrice Foundation has decided to double our commitment from $500,000 to $1 million to help low-income families with their daily needs.”

The FairPrice Food Voucher Scheme provides vouchers for needy families to purchase daily essentials through grassroots organisations (GROs) of all 87 constituencies in Singapore. More than 20,000 needy families and individuals benefit from this scheme each year.

FairPrice has been working with grassroots organisations and welfare organisations in assisting lower income families to meet their daily needs through the FairPrice Food Voucher scheme since 2002. To date, the Foundation has contributed $11 million worth of FairPrice vouchers to the FairPrice Food Voucher Scheme.

Mr Andy Lee, father of two and popular family blogger was thrilled to enjoy a family outing while contributing to a good cause: “Attending any event for a good cause is always a great feeling but to be able to double up as a family bonding opportunity was really special. My children had a great time, especially with the entertainment stations en-route. I would definitely welcome more of such events.”

FairPrice Walks With U

In line with the event’s objective of promoting greater family bonding and healthy living, the event attracted participants of all ages from all walks of life. FairPrice Chairman Mr Ng Ser Miang, DPM Teo, and IOC President Dr. Jacques Rogge, who was in town for the IOC Athletes Forum, flagged off the participants at exactly 8am this morning, with the PSI level well below the 24hr average of 100.

The participants started their scenic 4km walk at the Barrage and made their way towards the Gardens By The Bay (East), right next to the Marina Bay Golf Course, against the backdrop of some of Singapore’s most famous landmarks such as the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands and the iconic Cloud Forest and Flower Dome at the Gardens by the Bay.

There were also various entertainment stations along the walking route and carnival activities such as balloon sculpting and a children’s art corner to keep the crowd entertained.

Commenting on the walk, Mr Tan Kian Chew, Group CEO of NTUC FairPrice said, “We are delighted with the turnout for the inaugural FairPrice Walks With U event. We have been monitoring the haze situation over the past week and decided that we should make every effort to allow the event to go on if the PSI level is within healthy levels, as we know that many of the participants are looking forward to it.

“It is fantastic that FairPrice has this event to promote family bonding and to help the poor. We hope to grow this event into one of the marquee walking events in the calendar, and something that Singaporeans can look forward to taking part in each year.”