The fourth instalment of Hwa Chong Institution's (HCI) 24-hour Static Kayaking Challenge was flagged off at 8am today by Singapore Canoeing Federation's (SCF) adviser, Minister of State for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee.

Supported by SCF as part of its Canoeing Cares initiative, the event is held at HCI's Bukit Timah campus till tomorrow.

It seeks to raise funds and awareness in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore).

The event has raised more than $60,000 for the association over the last three years, and the organisers aim to raise another $25,000 this year through pledged donations and sale of event T-shirts.

Donations will be pegged to the mileage accumulated by members of the paddling community on kayak ergometers within a 24-hour period.

The funds raised will be used to subsidise the transportation costs of needy students suffering from muscular dystrophy.

Canoeing Cares began this year to identify, develop and support initiatives that allow the paddling community to contribute to society through volunteerism and charitable causes.