SWIMMING FOR A CAUSE

Back for the fourth year running on 12 Oct, SAFRA Swim for Hope 2014 raised more than $72,000 for the underprivileged.

For the first time, it was held at all five of SAFRA's clubhouses - Jurong, Mount Faber, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Yishun. About 1,500 swimmers from the Singapore Swimming Association, Republic of Singapore Navy's Naval Diving Unit (NDU) and Singapore Disability Sports Council took part in this year's event. Every lap swam by the participants contributed $1 towards the fund raising effort, which will go towards three adopted charities - the Singapore Armed Forces Care Fund, Singapore Children's Society, and Aquatics Heart and Hope.

Captain (CPT) Kovind Naidu, Officer Commanding of NDU's Underwater Demolition Team, was one of 200 frogmen who took part in the event. He said: "We swim quite a lot on a daily basis, so I think that this is a good way to contribute back to society.

"Most of the boys swam about one kilometre today, and I think we exceeded our target of 15,000 laps. It was a great way for NDU to give back to society."

Also participating in this year's event was 40-year-old 3rd Sergeant (3SG) (NS) Vincent Koh. In last year's edition of Swim for Hope, the intelligence specialist,who had extended his service under the Reservist on Voluntary Extended Reserve Service Scheme, set the record by swimming a whopping 306 laps. This year, he surpassed his previous feat with 326 laps.

3SG (NS) Koh was quick to credit his achievement to the strong support he received from his family. "The experience swimming with my family was great. Seeing my kids swimming next to me gave me that little boost that I needed!"

In attendance to present awards to the top swimmers was 2nd Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing.

"This is one form of bonding activities for our National Servicemen," said Mr Chan. "But it actually goes beyond that, also providing opportunity for Full-time National Servicemen and the families to bond."