Monash and Sunway Alumni Hosts Virtual Run To Support Refugees in Need

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, where many events have been postponed or cancelled, Sunway University and Monash University Malaysia came together to organise a charity virtual run – Monash-Sunway Alumni Charity V-Run 2020. 

The virtual run, which was carried out for a month with a minimum running distance of 10km, tracked 171 participants’ running record using the mobile application – ‘Strava’. All runners received an e-certificate for completing a 10km course, and the Top 10 long-distance runners received a medal each. 

Injecting a charity aspect to the run, Sunway University and Monash University donated RM100 for every 100km achieved cumulatively and raised a total of RM2,000. 

The run welcomed the participation of alumni of both institutions as well as encouraged them to stay active while supporting the needs of the deserving at the same time.

Funds raised were utilised to purchase grocery items which included rice, eggs, wheat flour, cooking oils, canned food, potato, onions, garlic and other necessities. 

The items were presented to Kakak, a non-government organisation (NGO) co-founded by Sunway alumna Chow Shenn Kuan at the Monash-Sunway Alumni Charity V-Run 2020 Presentation Ceremony.

Those in need were identified through Kakak and assisted by Health Equity Initiatives. 79 refugees and 20 families around Sunway who received the aid were those who had lost their jobs due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) enforced by the Malaysian government to curb the spread of Covid-19. Recipients included single parents and sole breadwinners of the families. 

The items were distributed with the help of volunteers from the Rotaract Club Sunway University, Monash University Volunteers, together with volunteers from Kakak and Sunway Education Group Student LIFE. 

"I am deeply grateful that Sunway is always looking out and supporting its alumni in the social causes that we advocate for, to give back to the community – as what has been ingrained and taught to us when we were Sunway students," shared Chow. 

"Having the opportunity to give back to the community and seeing their living conditions made me realise to always be grateful with what we are blessed with. My team and I thank Sunway and Kakak for the humble experience and we, the youth are more than happy to help the refugees in future,” shared Fadzlynn Mohamad, President of Rotaract Club Sunway University. 

On behalf of the organising committee, Carine Hew, Alumni Events & Communications Executive of Student LIFE thanked the participants for their support in making the event a successful one. 

“As the pandemic has impacted everyone substantially, it provides us an opportunity to redefine the perspective of giving back to the community. Giving back is not about monetary contribution but the small efforts which help make a difference,” shared Carine. 

Among the guests at the Presentation Ceremony were Lee Siok Ping, Director of Student LIFE, Sunway Education Group; Ridzuan Repin, Associate Director, External Engagement, Monash University Malaysia; and Shasvini Naidu from Health Equity Initiatives.