Rajah & Tann Foundation is proud to be sponsoring the YMCA of Singapore Special Needs Inclusive Challenge again!
In Singapore, the Challenge aims to encourage youths with special needs to build resilience by overcoming physical and mental hurdles, as well as to raise funds for YMCA programmes to train and advocate for youths with special needs. The challenge will culminate with 10 special needs ambassadors scaling Mount Fuji in Japan in August.
Over intensive weekly trainings in Singapore spanning from late May to August, the team hiked along trails and climbed up and down the 47-storey SkyVille@Dawson. This was the first time the group reached Mount Fuji’s summit after a failed attempt in 2019 due to weather and travel restrictions from the pandemic.
To launch this exciting challenge, the 16 June kick-off event was graced by Guest of Honour Denise Phua, Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC. Our Partners from the Rajah & Tann Foundation Committee, Rebecca Chew Ming Hsien and Mui Hui Tan, celebrated with the team and joined hands in co-creation activities with good cheer.
On 26 August, 10 special needs youths along with 16 caregivers, coaches and volunteers successfully reached the Mount Fuji summit in Japan, bringing this year’s YMCA of Singapore Special Needs Inclusive Challenge to a triumphant high.
Representing Rajah & Tann in the Mount Fuji expedition this year is our volunteer, Kris Tay, legal secretary from our Funds and Investment Management Group, who took on her first mountaineering adventure with the youths. Kris’ special assignment was to watch over and encourage her youth buddy Vince during the Challenge. Having experienced an exhilarating journey of weekly trainings over three months and making the final ascent, Kris shared that it was in fact not the physical aspect of the endeavour but interfacing with her youth buddy that was challenging and a source of inspiration for her. Importantly, for Kris, interacting with Vince and spurring him and the other youths on the team has been simply rewarding.
Rajah & Tann Foundation is honoured to be a sponsor for the Challenge again this year. We congratulate the YMCA team on their achievement and hope to continue supporting meaningful causes in our community.
