SAFRA Swim for Hope 2024 is already in the 14th year of its now-established social tradition of doing good. Same as every year, SAFRA rallies members of our community to make waves, harnessing the transformative power of swimming to contribute to social causes, while encouraging all to embrace a more active lifestyle.
In 2024, SAFRA Swim for Hope set out to raise funds for the NCSS Special Assistance Fund, Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD), the President’s Challenge, the SAF Care Fund and Singapore Aquatics, which seeks to empower our youths with opportunities to learn swimming.
The event raised over $250,000 with over 5,800 swimmers championing its cause. We spoke to a few participants at the finale of SAFRA Swim for Hope 2024, including a national athlete, to share their experiences and thoughts on its social significance.
Driving social causes with sportsmanship – Abielle Yeo Zhi Min
National Water Polo athlete Abielle Yeo Zhi Min, having been with the team since 2018, was enjoying a well-deserved day under the sun at SAFRA Tampines as she shared about how her being a national sportswoman can make a difference simply by leveraging on her influence to do good.
“I love how sports can function as a great equaliser for communities,” she mused, visibly heartened by the exuberance of the event’s participants as they excitedly gathered around the pool.
Out of the water, Abielle is also a marketing professional. This duality allows her to understand how a supportive environment can shape one’s potential for success, with her own colleagues and coaches doing all they could to ensure that Abielle thrived both at her day job and her athletic pursuits. “I’m so thankful that everyone has been incredibly supportive of my athletic aspirations!” she remarked.
Abielle believes that the smallest of acts can make a huge difference in the lives of others. “Whether you’re in it for the achievements or just for the fun of it all, sports are accessible to people of all backgrounds,” she shared, emphasising how sports and as an extension, SAFRA Swim for Hope, can bring people together to spotlight the lives of those who are less privileged. Beyond that, she hopes that events like SAFRA Swim for Hope remind our communities that we can always find ways to contribute to the society that we call our home.
Friendship for community – Team R182 (Top Team Fundraiser)
It started with two best friends looking to do something that they both enjoyed – and SAFRA Swim for Hope ticked all their boxes. Swimming? Check. Giving back to those in need? Check again.
Soon, this passionate duo became a trio, then a quartet and today, their team, R182 has grown to include more than 17 members swimming for a kinder and more compassionate future.
“Most of us actually met when we were still in secondary school,” shared the group leaders Chong Yit Nee and Chang Tsann, elaborating on how their name R182 is an allusion to their graduation year – 1982. Buddies for more than a decade, they love how SAFRA Swim for Hope gives them an opportunity to work towards a shared goal together, creating new memories to enrich their cherished friendship.
Indeed, this will be their third time participating in the event. “SAFRA Swim for Hope seemed like a very natural decision for us as we all love swimming. So why not for a good cause? After all, it is also a great way for us to spend time together!” they remarked enthusiastically, clearly still celebrating what was a joyous occasion.
Yit Nee and Chang Tsann realised that most, if not all of the group were keen to take part because of their friendship and camaraderie. “The one thing that ties us together is a passion to keep our close-knit community going,” they reflect, adding that they have “gathered three times as a group in addition to their individual swim sessions.”
While SAFRA Swim for Hope 2024 has come to a close, that does not mean that this comradeship is ending anytime soon. Just a day prior, they had gathered at a friend’s house for a social potluck. “Some of us are already experiencing withdrawal symptoms,” joked Chang Tsann, “we are really excited for the next SAFRA Swim for Hope!”
Walking the talk – Team Change (Largest Team)
Swimming coach Edmund Chan did not just want his lessons to be all about the technicalities. He wanted his students to understand how they can be champions for change, to have swimming as a tool to uplift our next generations of leaders to better our communities. What better opportunity to impart this than with SAFRA Swim for Hope 2024?
This year, he is joined by his fellow coaches as well as more than 65 students in SAFRA Swim For Hope’s mission to lend aid to those who need it the most, aptly represented by their team moniker, Team Change.
“It couldn’t come at a better time really!” shared the coach, “just before the event, I was teaching the kids about the significance of the Paralympics, sharing videos and anecdotes of the beneficiaries.” He wanted his students to be well-informed about the power that they had to transform the lives of others.
“I’m so happy that some of my students are really pushing themselves this year. Many have already exceeded expectations in terms of distance!” he exclaimed proudly. To celebrate his team’s impressive turnout , Edmund will issue commemorative certificates to his team members so that they can bring home a bit of the joy that they have already given to those in need.
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