This year’s Semakau Run has received support from 24 donors that have pledged a total of S$280,000 to support environmental and charitable groups.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, flagged the race off at Semakau Landfill today.
Semakau Landfill is an offshore landfill, which has been a success story of sustainable waste management co-existing with a vibrant ecosystem and rich biodiversity.
The run was organised by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and MediaCorp for the third consecutive time.
Since it was launched in 2007, the run has raised more than S$1.5 million. This has benefited eight non-governmental organisations, two social service charities and the Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated Workers. These organisations use the funds to develop, improve and sustain their community outreach programmes and social services.
Organised as part of Clean & Green Singapore, NEA said the annual Semakau Run symbolises the close partnership it has fostered with businesses and the public to work towards long-term sustainable development for Singapore.
It is also a platform for NEA to galvanise the business community to show their commitment towards environmental protection.
Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive Officer of NEA, said: “The Semakau Run brings NEA, MediaCorp and our corporate partners together towards a common vision of environmental sustainability.
“Besides raising funds for environmental causes and helping the community, the Semakau Run hopes to raise awareness of the need for Singaporeans to preserve our environment by reducing, reusing and recycling our waste, and conserving our limited resources.”
MediaCorp’s CEO Mr Shaun Seow, said: “The NEA-MediaCorp collaboration for the Semakau Run is one of the many partnerships that we are proud of. The run serves as a great platform for MediaCorp to further engage our business partners to contribute towards caring for the community and environment. We are thankful for the donors who have pledged their support for the run.”
At the event, the top 10 photographs from a contest organised in the lead-up to the Semakau Run were exhibited.
The inaugural nature photography contest for 44 ITE students was organised by Nature Society Singapore on September 17. It was part of an educational outreach programme to promote nature appreciation and awareness to the younger generations.
The winning photo, which was picked from 379 entries, was taken by 17-year-old S Dinesh.
