Ambulance Wish Singapore (AWS), a non-profit organisation dedicated to granting the last wishes of terminally ill patients, is revving up for the nation’s first-ever charity car park race.
The race, which will be held on 29 September 2024 at OUE Downtown Gallery is the finale of their signature fundraising event, the Cycle of Peace (COP) 2024.
The primary campaign is a virtual cycling event from 5 August to 4 October 2024, allowing participants to join from anywhere with the objective being to raise more than S$200,000 to fund its work.
COP 2024 aims to raise awareness and funds to support AWS’ mission of transforming the end-of-life experience for patients with a prognosis of less than 12 months.
Each patient’s final wish is unique and special, ranging from seeing a dream realised to mending a relationship or alleviating a worry.
AWS strives to provide this experience to every terminally ill patient, regardless of diagnosis or background, so that they may have a measure of joy, peace, and comfort in their final days.
“We believe that every patient deserves the opportunity to experience their final wishes. Cycle of Peace 2024 is therefore not just a fundraiser; it is a celebration of life and a testament to the power of compassion,” said Ms. Grace Young-Diao, Chairman of the Organising Committee of COP 2024 and AWS Board Member.
Ms. Young-Diao is a former national bowler who is also a three-time Sportswoman of the Year (1989, 1991, 1992).
For Singapore’s first Charity Car Park Race, participants will cycle approximately 14 levels up the Downtown Gallery Car Parks.
Starting from Basement 2 of OUE Downtown Tower 1 Car Park, they will ascend to the street level, cycle for approximately 250 metres, before entering OUE Downtown Tower 2 Car Park and continuing cycling up to Level 6 to reach the finish line.
Participants in the virtual cycling event can register via the COP website and cycle anytime, anywhere, and submit results online using the STRAVA app or any GPS-enabled fitness app or device.
“Downtown Gallery is proud to partner AWS to host this in-person event. We hope to do our part in helping to achieve the target sum and at the same time, generate greater awareness for AWS’ mission,” said Ms. Patrina Tan, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Retail Property Management, OUE Limited.
“Through hosting the carnival and car park race, we would like to show appreciation to the AWS supporters and partners, as well as hopefully provide an exciting competition for the cycling community.”
The money raised from the fundraiser will be utilised for beneficiaries, such as the late Ms. Melanie Cruz, whose wish was an outing to the beach.
While plans for the beach outing were underway, Ms. Cruz’s health deteriorated very suddenly and the AWS volunteers quickly organised a beach-themed party at the hospital instead.
The hospital room was decorated with beach balls, life buoys, as well as pictures and balloons of sea animals. Ms. Cruz’s family gathered in their casual beach attires with colourful hats and were each given a garland of purple orchids.
Ms. Cruz’s mother, Mrs. Rose Cruz, recounted the day, “It was such a colourful and a memorable occasion for us.
“The AWS volunteers played some soothing background music and displayed a collage of photos of my late daughter. Our family spent a few hours taking photos and posing with her. I was glad that AWS was able to organise this moment for us quickly because my daughter passed on a few days later.”
Participants in the Charity Car Park Race will need to register and donate at least S$100 in lieu of a registration fee.
Participants in the virtual cycling challenge can sign up for free as individuals or as teams.
To qualify for a spot on the leaderboard, individuals and team participants in the virtual event must raise S$100 each.
The top three individual and team fundraisers on the leaderboard will have a chance to win prizes.
All proceeds of S$50 and above are eligible for a 250% tax deduction. Tote Board will match all cash donations made, under the Tote Board Enhanced Fund-raising Programme.
For more information on participating or sponsorship, please visit https://cycleofpeace.ambulancewishsingapore.com/.
PHOTOS: AMBULANCE WISH SINGAPORE
