Staff from Hong Kong bank shoot hoops with disadvantaged students to raise funds and boost spirits
- Dah Sing Bank employees joined up with students to instil positive values on and off the court
- Every basket scored was matched with a monetary donation going towards the 15 charities supported by fundraising drive Operation Santa Claus
Staff from a Hong Kong bank took to a basketball court in a charity competition with students to raise funds for 15 local NGOs and awareness among the young players about the importance of being more caring towards others.
Employees scored baskets last month to raise funds for the 15 local charities supported by Operation Santa Claus (OSC) at the competition hosted by Dah Sing Bank on November 26 at South China Athletic Association.
Primary and secondary students from Hong Kong Children In Need Foundation, one of this year’s OSC beneficiaries, took part in a series of basketball technique workshops and challenging games led by the bank’s staff.
Excited and delighted, avid young basketball players took the opportunity to hone their dribbling and shooting skills, just like 11-year-old Isaac Yeung Tak-ho, and six-year-old Sky Yeung Ho-tin, both from Asbury Methodist Primary School.
“I learned a lot about basketball today. There are different rules and many different ways to score points – it is a very challenging sport,” Isaac said. “I definitely want to continue playing basketball and use the knowledge learned today to become a better basketball player.”
“Playing basketball helps to make our body stronger, it was really enjoyable today,” Sky said.
For the children and adults taking part, not only was this an enjoyable gathering, but also a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the community and help those in need on the 35th anniversary of OSC, an annual fundraising initiative co-organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK.
Since 1988, OSC has raised HK$353 million (US$45 million) to support the Hong Kong community through 323 charitable projects. This year, there are 15 charitable projects of worthy causes being funded by OSC.
“This is the 10th year Dah Sing Bank is supporting OSC, and through OSC’s fundraising initiative our bank can extend its support to more meaningful community projects and activities,” said Gary Lam Hung-kit, relationship manager in the retail banking division at the organisation’s Sheung Shui branch.
“Our colleagues from the bank have eagerly taken part in today’s event with many partaking in the friendly basketball match. We are all here to jointly raise funds for OSC.”
Echoing his sentiments, Jacky Cheong Man-ming, senior manager in the company’s IT department, also said that using sports to support disadvantaged children’s development had long been a part of Dah Sing Bank’s corporate social responsibility policy.
Cheong said the children not only relished the joy of playing basketball together, but also learned more about the importance of helping others and being more caring towards people around them and in society.
Lam and Cheong both took part in the basketball match as captains leading their teams to score a number of baskets. Each basket scored was matched with a monetary donation towards OSC.
