SGX Bull Charge 2017

Since young, running has been my passion. I developed this lifelong hobby when Dad brought me for a jog at the Bedok Reservoir more than 30 years ago. Hence, when SGX invited me to promote their charity run, SGX Bull Charge 2017, I was very keen and excited.

Although the jog occurred more than 30 years ago, I can still remember it vividly because Dad rarely spend time with the family. As a truck driver, he was always busy making money, even on weekends. So, when he brought my siblings and me to the reservoir for an outing, we were all thrilled.

That run had offered me a rare glimpse of Dad and gave me the opportunity to bond with him. Although it was a short run, we have the chance to have a shared journey, albeit a short one. At the end of the day, I really enjoyed myself even though it was just a simple run. In those days, life was really that simple.

My family’s journey

That run turned out to be the first and the last one I had with Dad. A few years down the road, Dad suffered from a debilitating stroke that caused him to be half-paralyzed. As the sole bread-winner, Dad’s illness had a devastating impact on our family. For twenty long years, we were in financial wilderness and I can’t emphasize enough how much we struggled during that long winter. That was a very depressing chapter of my life and I certainly don’t wish it would happen to anyone.

On looking back, before that jogging session, Dad must have known that his health was declining, so he probably wanted to pick up jogging to improve his health. But due to his busy schedule, he did not take his medication timely, and that led to his stroke. If I could roll back the time, I would tell him that building wealth is important, but health is even more important.

Although Dad could not join me for any more runs after the stroke, I continued to jog on my own. Growing up, I always had a deep sense of angst. The sense of insecurity probably stemmed from my family’s misfortune. Hence, jogging released me from these emotion traps. Somehow, I always feel more positive after a good run. In addition, jogging always trains me to be focused in my thinking and enables me to have clarity of thoughts on complex issues.

Giving back to the community

As a financial blogger, I have the unique opportunity to make a difference to other’s lives. Therefore, I am very supportive of SGX Bull Charge 2017. Essentially, this is a charity run and all the funds raised would be donated to SGX’s beneficiaries to deliver better care and assistance to those in need. The programmes can be broadly categorised as Children and Youth Programmes, Family Programmes & Elderly Programmes. Specifically, the beneficiaries are – Autism Association (Singapore), AWWA Ltd, Community Chest, Fei Yue Community Services and Shared Services for Charities.

Being a wealth builder, I always ask myself how I can contribute and give back to the community. For sure, I have not reached financial freedom yet but my family background made me realize the importance of reaching out for the underprivileged.  When I was younger, I used to dwell too much on my family’s predicaments and often overlooked that there are others who need a helping hand as well. It was Dad who changed my thinking.

Many years ago, National Kidney Foundation (NKF) was rocked by a series of financial scandals involving a number of alleged malpractices at the charity organization. During that period, NKF was still running the charity TV show and Dad wanted to make a phone donation. Somehow, I don’t know what got into me but I actually chided him for donating when there was no help rendered to us over the years. Maybe the NKF scandal had influenced the way I viewed charity organizations. Perhaps there was too much pent-up anger built inside me. But Dad then correctly pointed out that there are many people who are more unfortunate than us and our family’s misfortune should not be an excuse for not helping those who are disadvantaged. Whenever we give, it should be in good faith.

Being young, I was too hot-headed to realize my folly. It was over the years, then I appreciated Dad’s teachings. It was wrong of me to think that just because my family did not receive any help, it does not mean we can ignore the need to extend a helping hand to others who struggle in their journey.

For a person who suffered from years of disability, it certainly takes a noble man like Dad to overcome his physical pain and care for the others. Not many people can have this big heart to show empathy for the others in the midst of their own sufferings. Now that I have become a father, I feel that it is important that I pass down this value to my children. At the end of the day, I hope that they can build on my father’s legacy. After all, wealth come and go but values transcend the test of time.

Read my articles on SGX:

1. SGX’s 1QFY2017 results
2. SGX to revise Minimum Trading Price Rule
3. SGX’s Hall of Shame

For wealth builders, by wealth builders

SGX Bull Charge resonates with what I am trying to achieve with this blog, SG Wealth Builder. Since 2004, SGX Bull Charge has been rallying the financial community and companies together for a common goal – empowering communities through financial literacy. This event has raised more than $29 million and supported over 50 charities.

This year, SGX is aiming for an expected turnout of between 8000 to 1000 participants. To achieve this, SGX is engaging financial bloggers to help raise awareness about this charity run. As this is an event for wealth builders, by wealth builders, I am doing my part to raise public awareness through this article. The details of the event:

Date 17 November 2017 Venue F1 Pit Time 4.00pm – 9.30pm

There are three run categories to choose from and those are interested can check out the details here.

Complimentary Run Entries

SGX has given me 10 complimentary run entries for my readers. If you are interested in the run, please subscribe to my blog and then email me at sgwealthbuilder@gmail.com to indicate your interest. Please remember to include your name. For those who are already my blog subscribers, you may also write in to me to indicate your interest. I would randomly pick ten lucky winners and forward to SGX by 31 August.

Apart from the run, there is also the opportunity for wealth builders to network around because the participants are mostly from the financial industry. I will also be there for the run. So see you guys at SGX Bull Charge 2017 on 17 November 2017!

Magically yours,

SG Wealth Builder