StarHub Employees Bring Joy to Less Fortunate Through StarHub Corporate Volunteerism Programme

Singapore, 13 December 2006 - StarHub today announced the launch of its StarHub Corporate Volunteerism Programme, where StarHub employees will be given two days of paid leave every year to do voluntary work.

“ Volunteering is not just one-way. People who volunteer have a lot to gain from their valuable experience. It might be learning new skills, getting to know new friends or just feeling good about doing something for someone else. That's the volunteerism spirit that StarHub aims to promote and we are pleased to support our colleagues through our StarHub Corporate Volunteerism Programme ,” said Mr Tan Guong Ching, Chairman, StarHub.

In conjunction with the launch of the StarHub Corporate Volunteerism Programme, StarHub is donating $200,000 to Club Rainbow from its StarHub Sparks Fund, to set up the Rainbow Family Care Centre.

The Rainbow Family Care Centre, to be situated at Block 538 Upper Cross Street, is within walking distance from the Chinatown Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station. It is also easily accessible via the North-East MRT line for Rainbow Children seeking medical treatment at KK Women's and Children's Hospital and the Singapore General Hospital. The centre will occupy about 450 square metres.

The Rainbow Family Care Centre will offer sustained support services to 420 chronically ill Rainbow children and their families. It will also provide a range of free services including tuition, counseling, share sessions, talks and workshops. Rainbow children can also look forward to receive specialised therapy sessions by trained medical professionals and learn IT-related skills like web design and digital photography.

“ There is a encouraging trend of local companies demonstrating corporate social responsibility and putting in place structured giving and employee volunteering . StarHub is one such organisation that walks the talk. The StarHub and Club Rainbow partnership is a superb example of developing a long-term partnership between organisations and voluntary welfare organisations – not just in terms of cash donations, but also contributions by way of in-kind donations and volunteers,” said Mr Gregory Vijayendran, President, Club Rainbow.

With the new Rainbow Family Care Centre, Club Rainbow has plans to reach out to the community, to involve residents, civic groups, schools and corporations as befrienders, and to promote better understanding of the children with chronic illnesses.

StarHub further drives home the message of volunteerism, by sponsoring a series of print advertisements by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) in the local dailies. With the headline “Missing”, the objective was to raise awareness and encourage members of the public to come forward to volunteer their time and services, to make a difference in changing lives. NVPC is the national body that promotes and develops volunteerism and philanthropy in Singapore. The advertisements coincide with the National Volunteers Day, which falls on 5 December.

StarHub has donated more than $3 million dollars from its StarHub Sparks Fund, to help more than 60 volunteer welfare organisations (VWOs), since it was established in 2000.

Club Rainbow does not receive any funding from the Government and relies totally on public donations. Club Rainbow also offers financial assistance to needy families.

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