A unique charity event, The Community Chest HKEX Gong Run, was held in Central, Hong Kong, where hundreds of regulators, financiers, and executives from listed companies gathered to raise funds for The Community Chest. The event, co-organized by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) and the charity organization, aimed to encourage listed companies and financiers to become more involved in philanthropy. The run featured relay races over 388 meters and 188 meters at Victoria Harbour, with top bosses from prominent companies such as JPMorgan, DBS Hong Kong, and Standard Chartered Bank participating.
The event raised HK$9.7 million (US$1.2 million) for The Community Chest, with the HKEX Foundation donating HK$88,000 on behalf of each participant in the All-Stars Challenge. The challenge featured a who’s who of Hong Kong’s financial sector, including Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Salina Yan Mei-mei, and Hong Kong Association of Banks chairwoman and Standard Chartered Hong Kong CEO Mary Huen Wai-yi.
The event highlighted the business community’s commitment to social responsibility and collective action. Agnes Chan Sui-kuen, chairwoman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, stated that the event showed that corporate success and community care go hand in hand, strengthening Hong Kong’s spirit of solidarity.
The HKEX Foundation, established in June 2020, has contributed over HK$615 million to 150 community projects since its inception. As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, HKEX announced a three-year program to donate at least HK$25 million to support carers in Hong Kong, which has now been doubled to HK$50 million. The foundation is working with non-profit organizations to explore options to help carers, including renting spaces in shopping malls for babysitters and studying flexible policies with companies.
The event and the HKEX Foundation’s efforts aim to address social and environmental challenges in Hong Kong, particularly in supporting carers who are taking care of both elderly parents and young children. With Hong Kong facing a rapidly aging population, the need for support for carers is increasing, and the HKEX is committed to building a strong network to make communities and workplaces more welcoming and supportive for caregivers.