Eurokars Group Donates Vehicle to SPD

At a handover ceremony which took place on 16 November 2017, the Group Managing Director of Eurokars Group, Miss Ong Lay Ling, handed over the vehicle which Eurokars Group had modified for wheelchair access and donated to SPD to the Executive Director of SPD, Mr Abhimanyau Pal

SINGAPORE, 21 November 2017 – Eurokars Group has donated a vehicle which has been modified for wheelchair access to SPD, formerly known as Society for the Physically Disabled. In addition to the vehicle donation, Eurokars Group will also cover all servicing costs related to the vehicle.

Established in 1964 to serve people with physical disabilities, SPD has since expanded its scope to serve those with other disabilities as well. It aims to build an inclusive community and is committed to working in partnership with people with disabilities to develop their potential to the fullest, and help them to achieve self reliance and independence.

This contribution to SPD is the latest in a string of similar donations. Prior to this, Eurokars Group sponsored a vehicle for The Red Cross in 2002, and made a co-donation, together with the Rotary Club, of a vehicle which was also modified for wheelchair access to the Tan Tock Seng Patient Care Centre in 2007. The vehicle considerably improved the services that the Centre could provide in shuttling patients, obtaining necessary supplies
and conducting other essential activities.

Likewise, the new SPD vehicle will be a vital resource which will enable SPD to facilitate a host of day-to-day operational activities including therapy and rehabilitation sessions; island-wide collection of donation boxes; delivery of products produced by SPD’s physically challenged craftsmen, to name a few examples.

The vehicle was officially handed over to SPD by the Group Managing Director of Eurokars Group, Miss Ong Lay Ling, during a handover ceremony which was held on 16 November 2017 at the SPD Headquarters. The Executive Director of SPD, Mr Abhimanyau Pal, accepted the vehicle and, in turn, presented Miss Ong with a token of appreciation.

Speaking about the vehicle donation, Miss Ong said: “As a leading purveyor of a portfolio of quality car brands and the largest privately-owned car distributorship in Singapore, Eurokars Group firmly believes in the power of automobiles in enhancing the lives of people and empowering them to fulfil their aspirations, and meet their needs and requirements. Donating this vehicle to SPD is in line with the Group’s unwavering mission of contributing and making a positive impact on the community which it serves and in which it operates. Over the years, Eurokars Group has supported a wide range of charitable and not-for-profit organisations and causes.”

She added: “We are mindful that SPD’s current vehicle is more than ten years old, and as such, there is a pressing need for a new vehicle to continue carrying out transportation services that are crucial to SPD’s mission of integrating people with disabilities into mainstream society and maximising their potential. The donation of this vehicle with wheelchair access enables us to go the distance to ameliorate the mobility issues of the clients of SPD, and help SPD to save costs arising from the hiring of external vehicles. The cost savings will allow SPD to do more for their clients.”

“Christmas has come early for us. Eurokars Group’s donation of a vehicle is crucial in helping us to ensure the smooth running of our operations while at the same time, enabling us to connect with and help people with disabilities who are unable to step out of their houses due to their physical limitations. SPD relies on the support and generosity of individuals and corporate donors such as Eurokars Group to keep our programmes and services for people with disabilities going. We are indeed grateful to Eurokars Group for their support,” said Mr Abhimanyau Pal, Executive Director, SPD.

Over the years, Eurokars Group has been involved in numerous charity activities and championed many meaningful causes.

Some of the organisations and causes that have benefitted from the Group’s contributions include The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF); Team SportCares; The Red Cross Society, Children’s Charity Association, MILK Fund and the President’s Challenge.

Most recently, Eurokars Group became the first automotive company in Singapore to pledge an endowed contribution to the Singapore Management University (SMU) through the establishment of the Eurokars Group Endowed Scholarship. Now in its first year, the Eurokars Group Endowed Scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to needy undergraduates with good results and demonstrated excellence in the areas of student life and community involvement, in order to enable them to achieve academic excellence.

For its efforts in building social capital and contributing to the community, Eurokars Group received the Community Partnership Excellence Award of the People’s Association Community Spirit Awards in 2016. To cap it off, the Executive Chairman of Eurokars Group, Mr Karsono Kwee, has just been conferred the Public Service Medal (PBM) in recognition of his years of rendering commendable public service in Singapore as well as his tireless efforts to develop and lead an organisation that is committed to continuing a tradition of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy.