Singapore, 15 June 2025 – The spirit of community and compassion was once again on full display at this year’s Assisi Fun Day, the largest annual fundraising event by Assisi Hospice. Co-organised with City Developments Limited (CDL), the community event at St Joseph’s Institution International brought together business leaders, families of former patients, volunteers and community groups from all walks of life.
Graced by Guest-of-Honour Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister-In-Charge of Energy and Science & Technology, and Ms Ho Ching, Assisi Hospice’s Patron, the mega carnival sought to raise S$1 million for the care of Assisi’s Hospice patients and their families.
Every year, one of the carnival’s highlights is a special charity segment – The CDL Challenge – led by CDL’s Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and aims to raise funds for Assisi Hospice. In a true test of mettle and team spirit, two teams competed in a four-legged race relay, aiming to move as many foam balls as possible by sandwiching the balls between their heads, shoulders and torsos. The 14-metre shuttle relay had to be completed within three minutes, requiring not only physical effort but also precise timing and cooperation among team members. Supporters and business partners of CDL pledged donations for every foam ball successfully deposited at the finish point.
In total, the two teams moved 59 foam balls during the CDL Challenge, raising S$150,000.
Mr Sherman Kwek, CDL’s Group CEO, said, " Our long-standing support of Assisi Fun Day remains a special tradition of our ongoing commitment to giving back, with our employee volunteers – and even their families – coming together not just to raise funds, but to build genuine connections with the community we serve. Seeing our CDL family, business partners, and the wider community rally so strongly and generously around this meaningful cause is indeed heartening. Every journey begins with a single step, and we hope our collective efforts will motivate more to support Assisi Hospice’s vital work.”
Launched in 2017 by Mr Kwek, the CDL Challenge has raised funds to support the care of Assisi Hospice’s patients. Last year, the CDL Challenge raised over S$200,000 for Assisi Hospice through an exciting rice relay competition where participants carried over 100 bags (over 1,000 kg) of rice within eight minutes. This year, over 200 employees from the CDL Group volunteered their time and effort to set up nine stalls at the carnival – four by CDL, four by Millennium Hotels & Resorts (MHR) and one by sister company Hong Leong Finance, selling a wide range of F&B items.
Ms Choo Shiu Ling, Assisi Hospice’s CEO, said, "We all live in current times where our circumstances change constantly due to the impact of our physical, social, and economic environment. As a community, we are faced with the opportunities to thrive as well as new challenges that need to be addressed. Over the years, Assisi has been discerning what our community needs and transforming ourselves to achieve it. The Assisi Team is deeply encouraged by generous business leaders, volunteers and even families of former patients who form a community of support to the many patients and families that we care for. Sustained giving from the community, be it time, talent or donations, is essential to enable us to continue providing our patients with the medical care and psychosocial support they need, and support for the patients’ families.”
This year’s Assisi Fun Day drew an estimated 10,000 visitors and featured over 100 stalls, family-friendly rides and games, and special appearances by groups such as Harley Davidson interest groups and cosplayers. Funds raised will go towards supporting Assisi Hospice’s comprehensive care services – from Inpatient, Home Care, Day Care to Grief and Bereavement Support – which collectively served about 3,200 patients in 2024.
Visit the Assisi Hospice website to find out how you can help.
