Walk for Unity to raise funds for the less fortunate

About 2,000 Malaysians of all races and religions gathered at the Ponderosa Golf and Country Club for the Walk for Unity organised by the Malacca Johore Diocese Evangelical Commission, in collaboration with Ponderosa Golf and Country Club.

“It’s a walk of love,” said Bishop Bernard Paul in his welcoming speech, “love not only for ourselves, but also for those less fortunate. Harmony comes when you care for others.” His Lordship also thanked the co-organisers for coordinating the event and the participants. He ended his speech with a reminder to not only care for one another, but to walk together as the new Malaysia.

YB Andrew Chen Kah Eng, ADUN of Stulang said, “We, as policy makers, will make sure that all policies will benefit all races. “In this new Malaysia, let us walk together. We promote people’s engagement, people’s participation, we participate in all these social activities so that we can work together to build a better nation,” he added.

The participants then proceeded to the starting line of the walk and, at the sound of the air-horn by Bishop Bernard Paul, the walk began After the walk, the participants were treated to performances on stage, which included singing by children, Zumba and a sharing on family by Rev Moses Yap, the head of the Diocesan Evangelical Commission.

The carnival had food stalls, game stalls and corporate stalls from companies such as UOB Bank, Standard Chartered and Very Good Cereals.

The celebration continued in the evening with the Love, Peace and Joy Charity Dinner at the Ponderosa Golf and Country Club Trading Post hall. “We need organisations to help us in the journey to rebuild the country,” said YB Liow Cai Tung, ADUN of Johor Jaya in her opening speech.

“I hope that in the future, we have more programmes and policies for the country. Let us rebuild the country together.” The dinner guests were entertained with various performances which included a very passionate song by teenagers from Hope Garden Autism Home.

Bishop Bernard Paul too did not miss the opportunity to take the stage and sing a song. There were also lucky draws with the grand prize of a 32- inch LED TV. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of cheques by Bishop Bernard for three beneficiaries, Hope Garden Autism Home, Graceville Old Folks Home and Berkat Children’s Home.

The fund of RM100,000.00 was the result of generous contributions from the participants of the Charity Walk and Dinner, through the efforts of the Malacca Johor Diocese Evangelical Commission’s Evangelical Concert Ministry, chaired by Christine Honey Lee, and also Ponderosa Golf and Country Club. In his closing speech, Bishop Bernard Paul thanked the organisers, the volunteers and the participants who contributed to the fundraiser and made the day’s event a success.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online