Residents flag off community walk

Residents from Marine Parade GRC took a scenic stroll to Gardens by the Bay on Sunday as part of an islandwide event.
Residents from Marine Parade GRC took a scenic stroll to Gardens by the Bay on Sunday as part of an islandwide event. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Close to 3,000 Marine Parade GRC residents used red and white umbrellas to form the Singapore flag on Sunday morning, before joining a mass walk islandwide.

They were part of about 100,000 people who woke up early for a morning stroll around various parts of Singapore to celebrate the nation's golden jubilee.

The One Community Walk organised by the People's Association, now in its sixth year, took place at 70 venues simultaneously.

Residents from Marine Parade GRC took a scenic stroll along the park connector network from Tanjong Rhu Road to the east of Gardens by the Bay.

Participants at the other venues also stood in formation to form the Singapore flag.

Those from Ang Mo Kio GRC walked from Nanyang Polytechnic to the Institute of Technical Education College Central, while others in Tampines West walked around their estate, starting from their community club.

Each of the walks had their own themes - ranging from water conservation to befriending one another and healthy living.

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin, who joined his Marine Parade residents, said the event was good for community bonding.

"One is getting people to be actively involved and getting exercise. Second, it's bringing people together and creating opportunities for neighbours and family members... to spend time together," said Mr Tan.

The walk also raised $100,000 from corporate sponsors such as Sheng Siong Supermarket. The money will go to beneficiaries of the Singapore Children's Society, Catholic charity group Caritas Singapore, voluntary welfare organisation Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society and social welfare group Reach Community Services Society.

Ms Tan Ming Yueh, 39, who walked to Gardens by the Bay with her husband, three-year-old son and helper, said: "We came because we always do sports together as a family anyway. It is so meaningful to see everyone come together dressed in red T-shirts."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 01, 2015, with the headline Residents flag off community walk. Subscribe