AS part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, Aspen Group is sponsoring 12 visually impaired persons (VIPs) to participate in the upcoming Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) on Dec 15 this year.
During a media conference at Komtar today, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai announced that this generous sponsorship includes 10 students from St Nicholas’ Home and two other VIPs, Darren Yuen, and Helen Davis.
“We are extremely proud that this marks a historic moment for PBIM as it will be the first time that the significant number of VIPs will be joining the event.
“This will be their platform to challenge their limitations, and enjoy an outdoor sporting activity alongside others. They will compete in the 10km, 21km, and 42km categories, depending on their preferences. Each of them will be paired with a Blind Guide Runner during the event.
“To ensure they are well-prepared, Howei Events is organising series of training sessions for them.
“We hope this initiative will help to promote awareness and support for St Nicholas’ Home, which is dedicated to assisting the visually impaired,” he said.
Apart from this, Wong mentioned Yuen would be raising funds for the underprivileged under his ‘Darren Going Forward’ banner.
“The public and PBIM participants are encouraged to make donations via the Howei platform, accessible through the Darren Going Forward Facebook page.
“The funds will be donated to Special Children’s Centre Penang and the Ramakrishna Ashrama,” he said, expressing his gratitude to Aspen for its unwavering support to Yuen’s initiative.
The ‘Darren’s PBIM Half Marathon Challenge: Fundraising for Charity’ will begin on July 3 and end on Dec 18 this year.
Wong also unveiled the PBIM medal design, a collaboration between Aspen and Emico.
“Currently, there are more than 13,000 runners signed up for the run, and we expect more to do so in the coming months.
“We are thrilled that the event will be held at Seberang Perai for the first time, traversing through Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge,” added Wong.
Aspen executive deputy chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff said he was grateful to be able to provide a platform for the VIPs to challenge themselves.
“We are impressed by the participation of St Nicholas’ Home, especially with the presence of Yuen and seasoned marathoner Helen,” he said.
Yuen, who was present during the press conference, exoressed gratitude to Helen for encouraging him to join 21km run this year.
“This is my first time joining 21km, and I will do my best. I am involved in outdoor activities most of them, and this 21km will be a new experience to me,” he said.
Helen, who was accompanied by his husband, told the media it was her privilege for her to compete in the 42km of PBIM this year.
“I am an active and positive person, always challenging myself along the way. In fact, I participated in a series of run, and Regatta Dragon Boat in Sarawak last year.
“I clocked 3 hours 56 minutes during my full marathon in 2019, and I hope to do my best this year,” said Helen, originally from Britain and now residing in Penang under Malaysia MySecond Home (MM2H) initiative.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi