Just after flag-off
On 10 March 2013, 1,800 cyclists took part in the UTAR Ride4Charity event and raised RM18,000 for the needy students in UTAR.
The charity event was organised by UTAR Student Representative Council (SRC) with the object to promote cycling as a green way of travelling and healthy recreational activity within campus, while raising funds for the UTAR Welfare Fund that supports needy students in the University. It was sponsored by cycling component manufacturers Shimano, Raleigh and Cat Eye and others.
“This is the first time an event organised by SRC that has participants as young as seven and the oldest is 75,” said organising chairperson Ng V Jiet, adding that he and his team were happy and thankful to the overwhelming support from UTAR staff, students and the public. He added, “The sponsors have been really helpful and generous when they learned that this event is organised by students to help students in return.”
UTAR Vice President (Student Development and Alumni Relations) Dr Teh Chee Seng flagged off the charity ride at the sports complex in the campus. The cycling route, through the rustic towns of Mambang Diawan and Temoh before coming back to the campus, was about 30 kilometres and it took the participants almost three hours to complete.
Charity riders on the way to the finish line
“We are glad to participate in the event and hope that UTAR can hold it annually,” said retiree Sufian Arshad, 61. He and his wife Rubiah Mingan, 59 took part in the event.
Amirah Mohamad Pudi, 17, from Batu Gajah, who shared the same thought, said, “We got to know about this exciting event via Facebook and my family and I decided to join in.”
“This is not my first time joining such a cycling event. I am glad and am proud of myself,” said 55-year-old Chuah Yew Lay from Ipoh, who uses a prosthetic right leg. He added that his condition had not hindered him in taking part in the event.
“If you want to make the world a better place to live in, you must have the feeling to give and to care for the less fortunate,” said UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik at the closing ceremony. He thanked all parties involved for participating in the ‘good, green and healthy’ event which had successfully raised RM18,000 for the UTAR Welfare Fund.
After the speech, Prof Chuah proceeded to present souvenirs to the representatives of the three main sponsors. The UTAR Ride4Charity event wound up after the much-anticipated lucky draw session.
Prof Chuah (left) giving out the lucky draw grand prize
