The People's Association (PA) has pledged $500,000 to the President's Challenge, which supports 86 charities. This is double what it raised the previous year.

A cheque was presented to President Tony Tan Keng Yam yesterday at a PA fund-raising event called Ride to Sunrise.

The sum was raised through activities such as dinners, donation drives and pledge cards with the help of grassroots organisations.

The chief executive director of PA, Mr Ang Hak Seng, said the amount was doubled for Singapore's Jubilee year.

"During SG50 and the grassroots' 50th anniversary this year, we celebrated values that make us Singaporeans. And one of the important values is the spirit of caring for one another as one community.

"So, this year, the grassroots movement resolved that they would put in extra effort to raise funds for the President's Challenge," he said.

The President also flagged off the Ride to Sunrise cycling event. About 600 participants will cycle from Jurong Spring Community Club to the PA's headquarters in King George's Avenue.