Yayasan Chow Kit raises funds for children with Chow Kit Run 2017

Kuala Lumpur, 10 April 2017 – A crowd of more than 1,200 superheroes gathered at the Jalan Batu Girls Primary School in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday in support of Yayasan Chow Kit’s (YCK) fundraising annual fun run. 

Buskers graced the event at pit stops while participants filled the city’s streets as they ran with creative superhero masks as part of the event’s theme; “Be a Hero for Every Child in the Country”.

The theme was part of YCK’s advocacy in identifying paedophiles, which began last year after news on British serial sex offender Richard Huckle broke out. The use of masks was to symbolise the difficulty in identifying paedophiles among strangers. 

Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) Chief Executive Officer Hajjah Yatela Zainal Abidin said that YCK’s overall mission of providing a safe haven for children is paramount, especially now that the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill has been passed. 

“We have been supporting YCK for the past eight years and we are delighted to see that our support has enabled the foundation to widen their reach. They have now grown from three volunteers with 48 children to a registry of 1,800 children, 31 staff and two centres providing more than 20 different services,” she said. 

Participants of Chow Kit Run 2017 at the flag off for the 6KM run. 
Photo credit: Azul Adnan

The event had plenty of fun activities and shows for everyone including magic shows, lucky draws and dance competitions.  
Photo credit: Azul Adnan

Singer, broadway actress and entrepreneur, Atilia Haron performed after the run. 

Photo credit: Azul Adnan 

YSD’s eight-year support to YCK has assisted them in case management and home schooling programmes, enabling them to expand its boundaries to include music and arts, sewing, cooking, crochet classes as well as environmental awareness for children to develop holistically.

Since 2011 with YSD’s support, YCK has served over 7,000 children and their families. Over 40 youths from Chow Kit have broken out of the cycle of poverty and have since managed to further their tertiary education. 

The funds collected through Chow Kit Run 2017 will be used to develop a sustainable advocacy platform and to strengthen existing programmes at the care centres. 

“The whole point of the event is not about us, it’s about helping the children to speak up and take care of themselves, and when that happens then we can move on,” said Dr. Hartini Zainudin, founder of YCK. 

Chow Kit Run 2017 ambassador and former Formula One driver Alex Yoong was present at the event while singer, broadway actress and entrepreneur Atilia Haron performed after the run. 

Under the Community & Health pillar, YSD to date has committed RM114 million towards community-based programmes, initiatives, advocacy and research efforts targeted at increasing the well-being of disadvantaged people, reducing socio-economic disparities as well as enhancing the welfare of neglected children, senior citizens, vulnerable women, physically challenged individuals and other marginalised groups. 

About Yayasan Sime Darby 
Yayasan Sime Darby, or Sime Darby Foundation, was established in 1982 and is the primary driver of Sime Darby Berhad’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. 

The objectives of Yayasan Sime Darby are supported by its five pillars, namely: education; environment; community & health; youth & sports; arts & culture. While led by independent members of a Governing Council and managed by a dedicated team, Yayasan Sime Darby works closely with the Sime Darby Group, in areas of mutual interest. 

Since its inception, Yayasan Sime Darby has awarded scholarships worth RM253 million to 3,357 students both in and outside Malaysia. It is supporting long term research projects of significant scientific value like the Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) project which is the world’s largest ecological project, and the Reforestation and Rehabilitation of Orang Utan Habitats in Northern Ulu Segama. 

Yayasan Sime Darby is also actively involved in the development and improvement of sports in Malaysia namely track cycling, cricket, sailing and golf. Under its community & health pillar, Yayasan Sime Darby supports initiatives to promote the well-being of disadvantaged people irrespective of race, culture, religion, creed or gender and works with established organisations to promote the development of arts & culture. 

For further information, please contact:

Meena Lakshana
Senior Executive, Public Relations
Yayasan Sime Darby 
Tel:  03-2691 4122 Ext 7614, 013-256 7160 (HP)
Email: meena.lakshana@simedarby.com