The Challenge and the Cause
The Sahara Race 2009
in aid of
the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund
THE CHALLENGE
RacingThePlanet’s 4 Deserts is a unique category of rough country footraces that take place in remote and culturally rich locations around the world. The events combine a rugged physical and mental challenge with a rich cultural experience and have been named by TIME Magazine as one of its Top Ten Endurance Competitions in the world.
In celebration of living a life of adventure and contribution, Thaddeus will brave the Sahara Race commencing 25th October 2009. An instalment in the 4 Deserts series, the Sahara Race is a seven-day self supported footrace over 250 kilometres in the world’s largest subtropical desert - the forbidding Sahara Desert of western Egypt. Carrying their own gear, food and clothing in a backpack, the only assistance provided is water, medical assistance and tents to sleep in at night.
Sahara Race competitors can expect an experience set against some of Mother Nature’s most unforgiving and contrasting backdrops: rocky mountains giving way to gold, red and white sand dunes; stony expanses; the occasional palm-filled oasis; and dried-up river beds where oleanders grow. The heat of the Sahara in Egypt is fierce and there is almost no relief from one day to another, although low humidity makes the heat a little more bearable. Temperatures can fall rather abruptly at night so desert evenings can be quite chilly and strong winds and sandstorms are not uncommon.
THE CAUSE
The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund was initiated on Children’s Day (October 1) in the year 2000 by The Straits Times to heighten public awareness of the plight of children from low-income families who were attending school without proper breakfast or pocket money to sustain their day in school.
The aim is to alleviate the financial burden faced by parents in providing for their children’s education. At the same time the funds help children who are already facing difficulties in remaining in school to stay on. With the current downturn hurting the livelihoods of many, the Fund plans to raise $5.7 million this year, the highest since its inception. The money will go to 11,000 school-going children who cannot afford to buy food at recess. Known as ‘The People’s Fund’, the SPMF gives needy primary school students $45 in pocket money each month, while secondary students receive $80.
The National Council of Social Services administers the fund and makes quarterly disbursements to agencies such as Family Service Centres (FSC), Children’s Homes and Special Schools based on a set of criteria which social workers on the ground assess of the agencies.
The Mission
Thaddeus aims to raise S$250,000 toward helping thousands of children from low-income families stay in school while creating awareness of the challenge they face on a daily basis. He also intends for this tough undertaking to be an inspiring statement about what is possible when an ordinary person makes up his mind to take on incredible challenges to bring his dreams alive.
I Want to Help!
Any help or support is well appreciated. Individuals or corporations can play a part through various means: contribution of products and/or services; support through publicity; involvement in fundraising activities or donations to the cause.
To donate to the ST School Pocket Money Fund through Thaddeus’ quest, please make crossed cheques payable to “The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund”. Write at the back of cheque: “Dreams Come Alive” along with your full name, NRIC number, mailing address and telephone number. Mail to: The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Finance Division, 1000 Toa Payoh North, Singapore 318994
