United in one heart and mind, each year, thousands of staff from across the global offices of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, put on their walking shoes in support of children in need who deserve a helping hand towards a brighter future.
In Malaysia, the scenario was no different but was marked by an additional ‘achievement’. After 2 years of raising funds virtually due to Covid-19, the staff from Roche Pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics and Services and Solutions divisions came together with renewed fervour to successfully raise the highest funds to date of RM63,200 and make a difference for disadvantaged children.
These funds are being equally channelled to Rumah Kanak-Kanak Triniti and Shelter Home for Children to help them continue with their good work to provide food, shelter, clothing, guidance and care for vulnerable children.
“It’s been great to witness the energy, excitement and enthusiasm of staff rallying together to support needy children in Malaysia. As a community of colleagues, we have found much joy in meaningfully doing our part to make a difference, backed by the knowledge that we are all part of a heart-warming global movement to drive betterment and empower change in society. It has also brought us closer together as a team,” said Deepti Saraf, General Manager of Roche Malaysia.
For two months, Roche Malaysia employees launched various fund-raising initiatives, from bidding events that saw leadership team members showcase their talents, to booth sales that included sales of employee designed t-shirts, caps and umbrellas.
It culminated with a walk involving more than 400 Roche employees from the Roche office in Sunway Pinnacle to Sunway University. The physical walk was held after a two-year hiatus although other fund-raising initiatives continued during the pandemic.
Roche Children’s Walk is the company’s largest employee-driven fundraising event to give back to society by supporting projects through the legally independent global charity Roche Employee Action and Charity Trust (Re&Act), as well as local projects in over 60 countries where it operates.
Each year has also seen an uptake of involvement by Roche staff globally with 2021 surpassing previous records with 26,000 people from 138 sites across 60 countries involved. In 2020, 18,000 staff took part. With Roche’s 125th Anniversary this year, they expect to record significant involvement to mark the milestone celebration.
Speaking on behalf of Rumah Kanak-Kanak Trinity, Mary Moses, the Administrator, said, “During the COVID19-pandemic, our expenses depleted our funds and we ran into financial difficulty. The funds from the 2021 Roche Children’s Walk was a lifeline for us. We are appreciative of Roche’s contribution as we are not regular recipients of public donations. We have significant monthly expenses which include rental, food supplies and other necessities especially now that schools are reopened. Roche’s contribution enables us to carry on our work in providing a safe and comfortable home for the children. Our biggest wish is to get a permanent home instead of paying a hefty rental, so that the children can have a secure place to stay.”
Jerry Choo, Public Relations Executive at Shelter Home for Children, shared, “Shelter was established in 1981 to shelter children who were abused, abandoned, neglected or at-risk and to develop them into mature and responsible members of society. The Roche Children’s Walk initiative serves to motivate us to work harder to achieve the mission of ensuring that these children are given a chance in life through proper sheltering and nurturing. This allows them to become effective and productive members of society in the future.”
Choo added that the home was grateful to be selected as fund recipient for the second year. “Last year’s funds helped pay for tuition for the children to improve on their weak subjects. We also supported two residents to pursue a vocational course to study culinary arts and a Foundation course,” he said.
Since the first Roche Children’s Walk in 2003, more than 274,000 Roche employees have raised over CHF 21 million (RM 98 million) in donations for children’s projects relating to education, nutrition, primary healthcare and social development around the world. All funds raised are matched by the company.
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