LY SMU
Publication: The New Paper, p 14
Date: 19 July 2008
Headline: He 'Ran' 20km For Charity...In Wheelchair
...
rn u r n -
for
charity
'
in wheelchair
know me) also joined."
The whole feat took him six hours.
"My hands were very painful
because of the blisters, but I didn't feel
tired," he said.
"I just wanted to challenge myself,
Tay Shi'an
to go beyond my limit and to make a
[email protected]
difference. That's what the event is
about."
This year, Mr Lin is once again
ESPITE being
making a difference at the event - as
wheelchair-bound, he was so
its head of marketing.
inspired by a charity
"My challenge is to give time to this
"marathon" that he pushed himself to
event amidst my busy schedule in
complete 50 laps or 20km, around a
school, and make it a success," he said.
track, ignoring the painful blisters that
Last year, the event did not manage
formed on both his hands.
to meet its target, with some 3,000
Now, one year later, Mr Ephraim
runners covering 39,000 laps, or
Lin, 20, a Singapore Management
University (SMU) undergrad, is back as 15,600km.
"In global terms, we only managed
part of the organising committee of the
event, to inspire others to do the same. to reach New York. Almost halfway
around the world," said the young
The Around The World in 24 hours
man.
challenge aims to get thousands of
"That's why we really want to
volunteers to collectively do 100,000
achieve it this year."
laps of a 400m stadium track, or
The organisers hope that with the
40,00Okm, which is roughly the
addition of stationary bicycles and a
circumference of the earth.
target of 5,000 participants, they can go
Money is raised through the sale of
the distance this year.
$2 pledge cards. Volunteers or donors
About 3.000 have
will run a lap for each
signed up so far.
card sold.
The event will
The event will take I just wanted to
place from lpm today challenge myself, to go also feature other
activities that the
to lpm tomorrow at
b e y ~ n dmy limit and to public can take part
Toa Payoh Stadium.
Mr Lin, who
make a difference.
in, including a
Boccia (a sport for
described himself as
unon-sportyv,has been That's what the event
disabled athletes)
paralyied fiom the
tournament,
is about*
Ephraim Lin individual and
waist down since he
school challenges,
was 9 years old, due to
a rare illness.
wheelchair handlingclinics, spinning workshops and an
TOUCHED
array of student performances.
Ms Eunice Olsen, Nominated
He said that when he went for the
Member of Parliament, will take part in
;-..
-3.; challenge with a group of schoolmates
a "Mini-Duathlon" with participants
.
'
last year, all he thought of doing was to tomorrow, comprising lOkm on the
slowly finish a couple of laps, have fun, stationary bikes and an 800m run.
picture: SINGAPORE MANAGEMENUT
NIVERSITY
Mrs Josephine Teo, Member of
and fulfil a community service
Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC,
Mr Ephraim Lin participated in last year's Around the World in 24 hours challenge. Despite requirement set by the university.
is scheduled to join disabled athletes
suffering blisters on his hands, he completed 50 laps around the track.
"But I really saw something there,
on a 4x400m torch relay on the
people with the spirit to achieve
stadium track today.
something, so I just went for it," he
Said Mr Lin: "If anyone wants to
said.
join,
you can just come down, sign up
His goal: A medal, given to those
WHAT: Around The World In 24 Hours for Disability Sports
at the station, and start running."
who complete 50 laps around the
He didn't know if he would be able
WHEN: From lpm today to lpm tomorrow
track.
to
get
on the track this year on top of
So he pushed and pushed - but by
WHERB: Toa Payoh Stadium, 297 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh
his organising duties, but said he
the time the event ended at 6pm, he
would be bringing his sports gear.
had done just 44 laps.
Participants can cover distance by running, walking,blading,
This year's challenge is part of
Said Mr Lin: "I actually went to ask
in wheelchairs, or even on stationary bikes at the side of track
Trilympics 2008, the final instalment of
the organiser if I could do six more
They can cover just one lap, or as many laps as they like
the three-part Olympic Dream series of
laps. I was so close to that goal. The
+Target: $200,000 to go to Singapore Disability Sports Council
annual student volunteer events to
organiser told me later that that really
and Student Volunteer Corps.
raise funds for and promote awareness
touched him.
and volunteerism in disability sports.
"When I did the six laps, all my
It is jointly organised by SMU, the
SMU mates joined me. For the last lap, Student Volunteer Corps and Jurong
Junior College.
all the other supporters (who didn't
To inspire others, SMU
student returns to
organise event this year
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Source: The New Paper O Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction.