Ray of Hope, Singapore’s only crowdfunding charity dedicated to addressing emerging and unmet social needs, officially launched its flagship campaign Walk for Hope 2025 earlier today, May 20, with a spirited community event at The Foundry.
The campaign calls upon individuals, students, and corporate partners to take a united stand for those who often go unnoticed in society. The initiative will culminate in a 6-kilometre walkathon scheduled for 26 July 2025, aimed at fostering compassion and inclusivity across the island. Organised in collaboration with St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI), Connected to India, and Huddl, the campaign seeks to raise SGD 500,000 and engage 2,000 walkers from all walks of life — including students, families, corporate professionals, and grassroots communities.
The launch was flagged off by Guest of Honour Cai Yinzhou, Director of Citizen Adventures, Executive Director of Chinatown Heritage Centre, and Member of Parliament for Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC. He was joined by Chief Guest Ben King, Country Managing Director, Google Singapore. Their participation underscored the growing collaboration between civic and corporate spheres in championing social causes.
Proceeds from the campaign will directly support Ray of Hope’s work — providing a safe and reliable crowdfunding platform that enables Singaporeans to give and receive timely assistance, especially for those falling through the cracks of conventional aid systems. By mixing the agility of crowdfunding with the credibility of a registered charity, Ray of Hope continues to drive meaningful change where it is most needed.
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“This cause resonates with me personally. Before stepping into political office, I spent over a decade immersed in community work — organising ground-up initiatives that responded to very real, very human needs,” said Cai Yinzhou. “I’ve seen how powerful collective action can be. When someone says ‘yes’ to helping — others follow. When one community steps up, it inspires another. And before long, we realise we’re all connected by shared aspiration and shared responsibilities.”
Speaking about Google’s association with the initiative, Ben King said, “For us, it’s wonderful to see the coming together of so many different organizations. St. Joseph’s Institution bringing their energy to the fund raising, partners like Connected to India and Huddl… to really think about the amplification of the campaign messages. So, it was an easy initiative to get behind and an easy invite to accept.”
“This campaign reminds us that we don’t walk alone,” said Dr Alicia Altorfer-Ong, Executive Director of Ray of Hope. “Every step taken in Walk for Hope is a step toward a more compassionate and inclusive Singapore where no one is left behind. Initiated by our community partners, this walk will enable Ray of Hope to continue providing much needed support to those in financial distress. It reminds us that we should all go forward, together.”
Schools and community at the forefront
One of the first institutions to rally behind the cause, St. Joseph’s Institution, has integrated the campaign into its character education journey.
“Inspired by St. John Baptist de La Salle, SJI as a Catholic school cultivates service not just as a value, but a lived practice. Our students are walking alongside those they may never meet, but whose lives they are helping to change. This is character education in action, SJI’s raison d’etre,” said Dominic Ang, Vice-Principal, SJI.
Media and creative partners drive outreach
Connected to India, a prominent diaspora-focused media platform and YouTube channel, will run a dedicated content series in the lead-up to the main event on 26 July. The series will spotlight stories of community champions, unseen acts of kindness, and transformative initiatives.
Huddl, a Singapore-based content agency, is steering the creative direction of the campaign — producing digital assets, articles, social media campaigns, and short-form videos.
“Having called Singapore home for 21 years, I’ve always felt deeply grateful for the personal and professional opportunities this country has given me and my family,” said Himanshu Verma, Founder & CEO of Connected to India and Huddl. “Being able to give back — alongside compassionate changemakers at Ray of Hope and SJI — is a privilege and a blessing. Walk for Hope is a powerful reminder that community is built when we walk together, for and with those who need us most.”
Walking groups join the movement
Among those backing the campaign are the Wednesday Walkers — a 400-member strong walking group founded by Pawan Bhargava and Shijo George — and Trekkers@Heart, a community of over 1,000 trekkers led by Vivek Vaidya. Both groups exemplify active lifestyles coupled with a commitment to giving back to society.
Founded in 2017, Trekkers@Heart has inspired countless individuals to lead healthier lives through weekly treks, health initiatives, and community engagement. Their involvement adds further momentum to the Walk for Hope campaign.
As anticipation builds toward the main walkathon in July, Ray of Hope hopes the campaign will ignite a wider movement of solidarity, resilience, and community care — where no one in Singapore walks alone.
Walk For Hope happens on 26th July 2025, Saturday, between 7am – 12pm. To register or find out how to get involved, visit: https://walk.rayofhope.sg.
