Swimming: Manulife gives $900,000 to promote water safety and swimming skills

Children displaying water safety skills at the launch of the North West SwimSafer Clubs at Senja-Cashew Community Club in Bukit Panjang on Jan 29, 2011. In a first-ever deal between a corporation and a national water safety programme, national s
Children displaying water safety skills at the launch of the North West SwimSafer Clubs at Senja-Cashew Community Club in Bukit Panjang on Jan 29, 2011. In a first-ever deal between a corporation and a national water safety programme, national sports agency Sport Singapore's SwimSafer programme received $900,000 on Friday from insurers Manulife Singapore. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - In a first-ever deal between a corporation and a national water safety programme, national sports agency Sport Singapore's SwimSafer programme received $900,000 on Friday from insurers Manulife Singapore.

The SwimSafer programme, launched in 2010, aims to equip children with water safety and swimming skills. It is currently implemented at all 25 ActiveSG swimming complexes and has seen participation from over 170 primary schools each year.

ActiveSG is a national movement to encourage people of all ages to embrace a sporting lifestyle. It offers customised programmes and activities for people of all ages and abilities.

Manulife Singapore will sponsor $900,000 to expand the current programme's outreach to 40 more schools across the island. Additional funding could also be provided over the next three years although no figures were disclosed.

Though the partnership mainly focuses on increasing the outreach, there are also plans to introduce skits, performed in school assemblies, as well as interactive souvenirs, to further engage children and raise awareness about water safety.

Lim Teck Yin, Sport Singapore's chief executive officer, stressed the importance of engaging corporate Singapore as "we are all in this together to create value for our country".

He added: "Manulife's involvement is also a reflection of your commitment to this country, to our people, and to living better through sports."

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