We cannot save all the starfish that are washed ashore, but …….. we can make all the difference to the ones that we throw back into the water. They survive. What pleasure is there in turning a blind eye to those in need? Whatever the form of assistance given, it involves sharing our blessings and assets, be it time, money or simply a listening ear. 
…..and so we all did in RfR 2016. It was an awesome experience for all the 170 riders and over 50 support crew to have committed 3 days to the ride from Malacca to Singapore. A motley pool of people they were, many meeting for the first time ….. but united in their fervour to ensure others had bread on the dinner table. They didn’t sacrifice their time. Rather, they shared their blessings.
In the proces
s, raised a record amount of over $372,000.
But that’s missing the point. Translate this into the number of meals that may be p
repared. Yup, providing monthly rations to over 385 homes in Marsiling, Hougang and Chai Chee. To fellow Singaporeans in our community who unfortunately aren’t as blessed. People living in one or two bedroom rental flats, some of whom can barely walk to the community centre downstairs to collect their rations.
What about the children in such homes? Are they to be exposed to a life of misery and poverty too? Certainly not, if we can help. Help we will, with a daily heathy breakfast to start with, so that the mind is alert in school. The funds raised will see this healthy breakf
ast program expanded to 175 children this year.
To take a holistic approach in extracting the children 
out of the poverty trap, we witnessed in September the opening of the Sunlove Study Corner …. a place conducive for the children to study without the clutter, distractions and noise of the homes. Funds for the Study Spot were raised through Prudential Charity Ride in 2015. Volunteers have stepped forward and thus far the following has been organised: Games Days; Scratch A Mind leadership cum coding; Movie cum Dinner outing.
We belong to a universal brotherhood. As we focus on the needs in Singapore, let’s not forget others in distress.
RfR 2016 saw the debut of a new initiative to help others across the causeway. The riders called at the Kiwanis Special Children Centre. The joy on the faces of the children as they interacted with the riders and gave a performance made the call all the more special.
As we move forward, all that is certain …… is that we will keep sharing.
Write up by Manjit Singh Randhawa with photo selection and arrangement by Eugene Wee. Photos credits: Desmond Foo (The Third Eye).
Ride for Rations 2015 (Malacca – Batu Pahat – Singapore)
2015 was another milestone for Bike-Aid (Singapore). 2 charity fund raising were organized — Ride for Rations and Prudential Charity Ride. Prudential Charity Ride was based on the idea of helping to shape a better future for the children and youths residing in the Chai Chee estate, much in line with giving a fishing line over giving fish to nip the problem of poverty in the bud. Thus the idea of a study corner for under privileged children began to gain traction and Prudential Charity Ride was organised to fund it.
Ride for Rations (RfR) 2015, the 5th in series was held on 22nd to 23rd August; involving as many cyclists and support crew as in the year before; namely about 150 cyclists with close to 20 support cars.
The spirit of RfR lived on through RfR 2015, which was entirely planned, run and managed by volunteers, who did an excellent job of it. The satisfying
experience of past participants, both of the ride itself and their involvement in the cause, saw RfR 2015 registration being brisk and fast.
Similar to RfR 2014, RfR 2015 also included a RfR 1K route, where about 10 cyclists cycled a total of 800 km unsupported and they dovetail into the final leg from Malacca to Singapore, covering a total of 1000 km.
Unique to RfR 2015 was the “Giving Back to Cyclists” through workshops on proper cycling techniques, preventing cycling injuries, proper stretching and even yoga!.
The weather conditions during RfR 2015 were indeed more challenging this year even though the RfR 2015 route was the same as before – imagine having headwinds for 40 to 60 km of the route on both days with intense heat on the first day. Participants even cycled on about 1 km of road being re-surfaced, even though this section was inspected as fine a week prior to RfR.
RfR 2015 also saw the involvement of motor-bike support crew escorting the cyclist from lunch point on day 2 to Singapore, some of whom have been inspired to cycle in 2016.
Against initial concerns of RfR 2015 ability to meet its modest fund raising target of $320,000/-, RfR 2015 surprised all by surpassing the target and raised $346,000.00.
RfR funds will support 330 needy families and resident in Chai Chee, Hougang and Marsiling registered with the Neighbourhood Links of the charity, Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed Ltd with monthly food rations worth $70/- and 100 school going children with monthly breakfast rations. Bike-Aid (Singapore) is liasing with Sunlove to increase the number of children receiving breakfast rations
through RfR 2015 by a minimum of 50%.
As in past RfRs’, RfR 2015 had plenty of positive feedback. Many found it a meaningful and enriching experience in terms of giving back to society and raising awareness of the need for help in Singapore. They also appreciated the thorough organisation and planning of the event including the dedication and commitment of the support crew, noting that it was entirely organised by volunteers.
There was no organizational costs incurred for the RfR 2015. Participants paid for their own accommodation, meals and various other individual costs incurred in the course of the Ride. Thus every dollar and cent collected in donations was channeled to the beneficiary.
Cyclists and supporters, keep the wheels rolling for Ride for Rations 2016!
RfR 2015 video
- Video by Support Crew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYRww748Rfs&feature=youtu.be
- Video by Indie Cyclists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBgjLjgwIuo&feature=youtu.be
RfR 2015 write up
Challenge yourself – cycle 240 km from Malacca to Singapore over 2 days for a charitable cause.
Cause:
Raise funds to:
- provide monthly food rations to 380 needy households registered with Sunlove Neighbourhood Link, an outreach of registered charity, Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed.
-
provide monthly breakfast package to 200 school going children living in the above and other estates through Sunlove.
The aim: to raise $320,000.00
100% funds raised will be used for the above & Sunlove will be custodian of funds.
Households live in 1-2 rental rooms; have no sources of income; elderly with no children; whose children are not supporting them; single parents; suffer from medical and intellectual infirmities; and require financial help to cover rental, conservancy, electricity and basic food expenses.
The above rations are distributed monthly at Chai Chee, Hougang and Marsiling.
Dates:
26 August 2016 – Depart for Malacca via coach
27 August 2016 – Cycle Malacca to Batu Pahat
28 August 2016 – Cycle from Batu Pahat to Singapore
Fund-raising obligation:
Each participant has to raise minimum of $600.00
Each participant must pay organisation cost of $280 or $350, excluding charges incurred due to the registration and payment portal, for expenses related to the Ride. The organising committee consists entirely of volunteers and receive no renumeration.
Cycling Route & Other Details:
Maximum of 150 cyclists supported by at least 40 support crew. Fund Raisers are also welcome.
Cycling route: trunk roads that are scenic, affording non-interrupted of distances ranging from 2-10kms and having mix of flat roads and slopes.
It is not a race; providing opportunity to cyclist wishing to go fast with pacers who will guide at an average of 30-35km/h, the event is also aimed at amateur and recreational cyclist with our sweepers traveling at about 18km/h.
Participation is subject to acceptance of Rules and Regulations on Ride for Rations found at Bike-Aid (Singapore) website and raising of funds specified above.
Register for RfR 2016 through weblink to be launched mid-end January 2016 at Bike-Aid website [www.bikeaid.org.sg].
For more information, please email: enquiry@bikeaid.org.sg
Bike-Aid (Singapore) reserves the right to reject applicants for Ride for Rations 2016.
Challenge yourself – cycle 240 km from Malacca to Singapore over 2 days for a charitable cause.
Cause:
Raise funds to:
- provide monthly food rations to 330 needy households registered with Sunlove Neighbourhood Link, an outreach of registered charity, Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed.
- provide monthly breakfast package to 100 primary school children living in the above households.
The aim: to raise $320,000.00
100% funds raised will be used for the above & Sunlove will be custodian of funds.
Households live in 1-2 rental rooms; have no sources of income; elderly with no children; whose children are not supporting them; single parents; suffer from medical and intellectual infirmities; and require financial help to cover rental, conservancy, electricity and basic food expenses.
The above rations are distributed monthly at Chai Chee, Hougang and Marsiling.
Dates:
21 August 2015 – Depart for Malacca via coach
22 August 2015 – Cycle Malacca to Batu Pahat
23 August 2015 – Cycle from Batu Pahat to Singapore
Fund-raising obligation:
Each participant has to raise minimum of $600.00 [in 2014, participants raised an average of $1000.00; total funds raised in 2014 is approximately $340,000.00 supporting 330 households, an increase of 25% over 2013, and the introduction of breakfast].
Each participant must pay organisation cost ranging from $280 to $350 for expenses related to the Ride. The organising committee consists entirely of volunteers and receive no renumeration.
Cycling Route & Other Details:
Maximum of 150 cyclists supported by at least 40 support crew. Fund Raisers are also welcome.
Cycling route: trunk roads that are scenic, affording non-interrupted of distances ranging from 2-10kms and having mix of flat roads and slopes.
It is not a race; providing opportunity to cyclist wishing to go fast with pacers who will guide at an average of 30-35km/h, the event is also aimed at amateur and recreational cyclist with our sweepers traveling at about 18km/h.
Participation is subject to acceptance of Rules and Regulations and raising of funds specified above.
Register for RfR 2015 now.
For more information, please email: enquiry@bikeaid.org.sg
Bike-Aid (Singapore) reserves the right to reject applicants for Ride for Rations 2015.
Ride for Rations 2014: The Essential Details
Challenge yourself in cycling 240 km from Malacca to Singapore over 2 days for a charitable cause.
Dates :
22 August 2014 – Depart for Malacca via coach
23 August 2014 – Cycle Malacca to Batu Pahat
24 August 2014 – Cycle from Batu Pahat to Singapore
Cause:
Raise funds that will provide monthly rations to 300 needy households registered with Sunlove Neighbourhood Link, outreach of registered charity Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed.
The aim: to raise $280,000.00
Each participant has to raise minimum of $500.00 [in 2013, participants raised average of more than $1000.00; total funds raised approximately $250,000.00 supporting 260 households].
Each participant must pay organisation cost ranging from $280 to $350.
100% funds raised will go to the above cause & Sunlove will be custodian of funds.
Households live in 1-2 rental rooms; have no sources of income; elderly with no children; whose children are not supporting them; single parents; suffer from medical and intellectual infirmities; and require financial help to cover rental, conservancy, electricity and basic food expenses.
Cycling Route & Other Details:
Max of 150 cyclists supported by at least 40 support crew.
Cycling route: trunk roads that are scenic, affording non-interrupted of distances ranging from 2-10kms and having mix of flat roads and slopes.
It is not a race; providing opportunity to cyclist wishing to go fast with pacers who will guide at an average of 30-35km/h, the event is also aimed at amateur and recreational cyclist with our sweepers traveling at about 18km/h.
Participation is subject to acceptance of Rules and Regulations and raising of funds specified above.
For more information, please email: enquiry@bikeaid.org.sg
Bike-Aid (Singapore) reserves the right to reject applicants for Ride for Rations 2014.
Ride for Rations 2014 (Malacca – Batu Pahat – Singapore)
Bike-Aid (Singapore) largest fund raiser in terms of number of participants was held on 23th to 24th August 2014. Ride for Rations (RfR) 2014, the 4th in series and the largest thus far, involved 144 cyclists of the 153 who had registered. RfR 2014 involved 41 support crew in about 20 support cars and 1 ambulance.
Notwithstanding the large number of participants, RfR 2014 was entirely planned, run and managed by volunteers and they did an excellent job of it. Interest in RfR 2014 was overwhelming and we had to turn away quite a number of interested participants when we reached the targeted number of participants.
RfR 2014 included a RfR 1K route, where cyclists cycled a total of 1000 km. About 10 of them started on 16th August taking a ferry from Changi to Pengarang, Johor and from there cycling up via the east coast of Malaysia to rendezvous with the others at Malacca before continuing to Batu Pahat and Singapore, covering 1000 km over 9 days.
RfR 2014 raised $340,000.00.
RfR raises funds to support needy families and resident registered with the Neighbourhood Links of the charity, Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed Ltd.
The target of RfR 2014 is to increase the number of families/households provided with monthly essential and food rations to 300 and expanding it beyond Marsiling and Chai Chee to include Hougang.
As in past RfRs’, RfR 2014 had plenty of positive feedback. Many found it a meaningful experience in terms of giving back to society and raising awareness of the need for help in Singapore. They also appreciated the thorough organisation and planning of the event including the dedication and commitment of the support crew, noting that it was entirely organised by volunteers.
Highlights of RfR 2014:
- raised $340, 000.00, which is above the target set for RfR 2014. As a result, 310 households are able to benefit from monthly rations, an increase of 25 % over 2013;
- 70% was raised by the participants & 30% was raised through corporate donations;
- 95% of the 144 cyclists completed the whole route;
- 10 of the participants took part in a 1000 km route;
- oldest cyclist was 71 years old and another 69 years; one of the cyclist is a cancer patient;
- a yogathon organised by volunteers as part of fund-raising.
There was no organizational costs incurred for the RfR 2014. Participants paid for their own accommodation, meals and various other individual costs incurred in the course of the Ride. Thus every dollar and cent collected in donations was channeled to the beneficiary.
Cyclists and supporters, keep the wheels rolling for Ride for Rations 2015!
RfR 2014 video
- Video by Indie Cyclists:https://vimeo.com/105484128
- Video by Singapore Adventure Nature Group: http://youtu.be/iV9i0FrJRq4
- Video by Singapore Adventure Nature Group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kla_kMPbc1s#t=12
RfR 2014 write up
- Collin Ng’s Blog : www.tockkong.blogspot.sg/2014/09/ride-for-rations-2014.html
- Asiaone covereage : http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/bike-aid-singapore-cycles-malacca-singapore-charity
Organized by Bike-Aid (Singapore), Ride for Rations (RfR) 2013 flagged off on 14 September 2013 involving 98 cyclists, cycling from Malacca to Batu Pahat and on 15 September 2013,
from Batu Pahat to Singapore. They were supported by 36 support crew and 17 vehicles.
RfR raises funds to support needy families and resident registered with the Neighbourhood Links of the charity, Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed Ltd.
Highlights of RfR 2013:
• raised $240, 000.00. As a result, 260 households are able to benefit from monthly rations, an increase of 31% over 2012;
•
75% was raised by the participants & 25% was raised through corporate donations;
• 95% of RfR 2013 participants raised at least $1,000.00; 99% raised the minimum $500.00.
• at the RfR 2013 appreciation dinner, participants spontaneously contributed about $5,000.00 from their own pockets;
• oldest cyclist was 70 years old and another 68 years whilst the youngest was 17 years.
• Day 2 saw cyclist cycling in heavy rain and even knee deep water with one spot termed “teh tarik”
• 2 participants roping in 2 of the corporate donors to host lunch cum block party for residents at Marsiling with 2 other participants sponsoring the same for residents at Chai Chee.
RfR 2013 had to be re-scheduled from July to September 2013 due to the unforeseen haze that engulfed Singapore and Malaysia as the safety of participants was of paramount importance. 
There was no organizational costs incurred for the RfR 2013. Participants paid for their own accommodation, meals and various other individual costs incurred in the course of the Ride. Thus every dollar and cent collected in donations was channeled to the beneficiary.
Cyclists and supporters, keep the wheels rolling for Ride for Rations 2014!
View RfR 2013 video created by Dr Kevin Soh, who is 3rd time RfR participant.
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Read about participants’ experiences:
Comments by RfR 2013 participants
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