Come September, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) will be hosting its first independent fund-raising event.

It requires participants to walk 10,000 steps a day for four weeks during the month to raise money for the condition and promote a healthy lifestyle. They will each be given a pedometer.

The event was launched yesterday at CPAS headquarters, Pasir Ris Drive 1, by local celebrities including Mediacorp actors Ben Yeo, Jeffrey Xu, Nick Teo and Hayley and Jayley Woo, as well as football legend Fandi Ahmad.

Cerebral palsy is a non-curable condition. It is a group of non-progressive disorders that can occur in young children, in which injury to the brain causes impairment of motor function. Proceeds from the fund-raiser will help needy families with transport costs and help to enhance programmes at CPAS. The organisers hope to raise $150,000.

Mr Low Wee Kiat, 18, one of the beneficiaries, said: "It is a great initiative to raise awareness. There are many out there who don't know about cerebral palsy, and (as a result) when I go out people start staring and whispering."

His 16-year-old brother also suffers from cerebral palsy and donations will help to ease the family's financial burden.

Steptember is part of a worldwide movement and similar fund-raisers are being held in many countries including Australia and the United States. Singapore participants can register in a team of four at $25 per person at www.steptember.sg.