ING and the Saint Barnabas' Society and Home held their "Walk for the Homeless 2005" this past weekend which circumnavigated Wan Chai Gap Park in Hong Kong to raise money for Hong Kong's homeless.
ING is the presenting sponsor of the event for the second consecutive year.
Riding on the success of last year's walk, ING employees from all Hong Kong businesses and their family members once again join around 100 other walkers to support the event, raising a total of HK$170,000.
At the opening ceremony to start the walk, Christine Fang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Council for Social Services stated: "Hong Kong's homeless, of which many are old or mentally-ill, desperately need the valuable support that St. Barnabas' Society and Home provides. This annual walk will not only raise essential funds, but also reminds us to care for the homeless people in Hong Kong that otherwise would have little support. ING's involvement is a great example of how businesses in Hong Kong can support the local community, and I hope our contribution can help raise public awareness on the issue."
Andrew Ngo, Chairman of St Barnabas' Society and Home, "St Barnabas' Society and Home offers help to the homeless through the provision of Drop-In Centres, Temporary shelters and Outreach services. With the support from ING, we are able to reach out to more poor and homeless, with the ultimate aim of reintegrating them into the society."
Jean-Francois Gillard, Country Manager for China and General Manager for Hong Kong, ING Bank, stated: "ING is committed to support the communities in which we have a presence. Our employees have been actively taking part in this fundraising activity to help Hong Kong's homeless, and we are proud to be part of this important project"
ING has supported the St. Barnabas' Society and Home since 2002. ING intends to continue to support different charity groups through other sponsorship activities and volunteer programmes they organise.
