by: Loh Teck Hua, Lecturer, School of Business
Often in our feverish race to acquire the material trappings of success we forget the true value of being human. Career, cash, car, credit cards and condominium may keep us warm at night but to be a caring human being puts a glow in our hearts.
On 18th June, 2011, Alex Au-Yong showed us all what one man can do for 200 underprivileged children. In support of the StART Society, a non-profit organization located in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, which manages and runs their own programmes for the betterment of these children, Alex Au-Yong, celebrity marathon runner ran 100km for 16 hours to raise awareness for the organization’s work as well as to raise funds to enable the society to continue their noble work.
Often in our feverish race to acquire the material trappings of success we forget the true value of being human. Career, cash, car, credit cards and condominium may keep us warm at night but to be a caring human being puts a glow in our hearts.
On 18th June, 2011, Alex Au-Yong showed us all what one man can do for 200 underprivileged children. In support of the StART Society, a non-profit organization located in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, which manages and runs their own programmes for the betterment of these children, Alex Au-Yong, celebrity marathon runner ran 100km for 16 hours to raise awareness for the organization’s work as well as to raise funds to enable the society to continue their noble work.
Beginning on17th June 2011 from Putrajaya and ending at the StART office in Jalan Gasing at approximately 11.00am on 18th June 2011, Alex made a half hour stop at KDU UC at Section 13 as part of his itinerary, a gesture of appreciation for the college’s contribution of RM10, 000 to the cause.
The event was made more memorable because the RM10, 000 was raised with the sheer spirit and effort of the KDU UC Law lecturers and students and supported by the Business School. The money was raised through TheXtraMileRun Charity Carnival which was held at the Section 13 Campus on that very day. There were sales of food, drinks, trinkets and clothes. There were funky face painting, free rides on Segways, an online treasure hunt with prizes like Apple products, laptop bags and movie tickets! No carnival would be complete without performances and there were hip-hop breakdancing and vocal performances by our very own law student, Daniel Wong!
True to the spirit of TheXtraMileRun, refugee families from Sri Lanka under the banner of Tech Outreach, a local NGO, were also invited to set up food stalls selling nasi lemak, fried beehoon, ice kachang, curry puffs and other Sri Lankan and Malaysian savouries. The food tasted delicious although with a slight foreign twist to the flavour! They have obviously adapted themselves well to the local cultures of their host country.
Sri Lankan refugees selling ice kacang and other savouries
The early morning turnout included Dr Teoh Kok Soo, the Vice Chancellor of KDU University College (KDU UC) Dr Tan Hui Ling, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Dr Todd Nelson, Head of Business School and Ms Low Pin Lean, the Acting Head of the Law School. Secondary school students and others came in support.
Most heart warming was Ms Cheryl Mohan, who joined Alex Au-Yong in the final leg of his journey back to StART office – she ‘ran’ with the help of a walker frame for the disabled. When asked, Ms Cheryl, a communications executive with Digi telecommunications, said that she would ‘run’ a token few meters or so but she wanted to show her support for the charity run. That ‘token’ was worth its weight in gold!
By the time Alex Au-Yong made his grand entrance, the music from the hitz.fm cruiser was booming and the crowd had swelled. Alex Au-Yong looked surprisingly fresh and energized despite KDU UC being the second last stop. He paused for pictures, smiled at the cameras, rested for what seemed like mere minutes and off he went again, this time accompanied by a larger retinue of runners including a team of spirited KDU UC students!
The festivities continued through the day with many more activities planned.Ultimately true education is not just about lectures, diplomas and degrees. It is instilling good values that make our graduates a success not just on paper, in their profession but in person as well.
Alex Au-Yong has brought light to the lives of not just the 200 underprivileged children, his effort has inspired many to pursue their passion with commitment and sincerity.
Alex Au-Yong arrives at KDU University College, Section 13 campus:
Ahmad Riyal, the beat boxer:
More about XtraMileRun:
No comments:
Post a Comment