Ultramarathoner to run 217 km for charity

SINGAPORE: Ultramarathoner Lim Nghee Huat will be running again — this time to raise S$350,000 for eldercare facilities in Mountbatten estate.

Mr Lim will leave Singapore for Brazil at the end of this week to take part in a 217—kilometre run.

Mr Lim completed an ultramarathon of over 200 kilometres last year. He aims to repeat the feat to support St Hilda’s Community Services in eastern Singapore.

The voluntary welfare organisation runs eldercare facilities in Tanjong Rhu, and moved into its new premises at the start of 2013.

The cost of building facilities were close to S$1.6 million. Senior citizens can go to the centre to occupy their time with meaningful activities and make friends. Those who need help with mobility issues can also undergo physical therapy sessions.

The new centre, occupying the size of roughly four basketball courts, is can serve about 600 residents in the area.

Funds raised from Mr Lim’s ultramarathon will give a boost to the type of care senior citizens can receive.

Quek Ai Siew, vice—chairman at St Hilda’s Community Services said: "The proceeds of that will go and meet our costs that we plan to equip our dementia care area. Like there’s light therapy, sound therapy and those are all pretty expensive equipment."

Well—wishers have started chipping in. Entrepreneur Kenny Tan will donate S$10 to St Hilda’s Community Services for every kilometre Mr Lim completes.

Mr Tan said: "The main objective is to help the needy. With that, I have been motivated (to help)."

Others supporting St Hilda’s Community Services and the run include Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who gave S$5,000.

— CNA/xq