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UOB raises S$1.4 million for charities through 2026 UOB Heartbeat Run in Singapore
Funds raised will support more than 20,500 children and youths in education and developmental support
Singapore, 15 August 2026 – About 8,000 UOB colleagues, customers, partners and beneficiaries across the region rallied together for the Bank's annual UOB Heartbeat Run in Singapore, Run at The Promontory @ Marina Bay today. A total of S$1.41 million was raised under the UOB Heartbeat Fund to create brighter futures for children in need through education, mentoring, social and healthcare support.
The funds will be channelled through Community Chest to support children in need and their families. Five local beneficiaries, SHINE Children and Youth Services, KidSTART, Pathlight School, as well as Heartware Network and South Central Community Family Service Centre, as part of the President’s Challenge. The funds are expected to benefit more than 20,500 children, youth and their families.
Aside from Singapore, the physical UOB Heartbeat Run will be held in the Bank’s other key regional markets of Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia in the coming months. The amount raised will benefit 28 charities globally.
Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, said, "For almost two decades, the UOB Heartbeat Run has brought together our colleagues, customers and partners to contribute to the communities we serve. Beyond fundraising, it inspires volunteerism, strengthens bonds and helps create better opportunities for children and their families. With the launch of the UOB Foundation on 1 July, we build on this commitment by bringing greater focus, scale, and impact to our community efforts across ASEAN."
Mr Wee Ee Cheong, UOB's Deputy Chairman and CEO (centre) presented a token to Mr Danny Koh, Chairman, Community Chest (in white with orange sleeves), together with the beneficiaries. UOB raised about S$1.4 million for five local charities at the Heartbeat Run this year.
UOB Foundation strengthens support for children, education and the arts
This year's UOB Heartbeat Run reflects the next chapter in the Bank's commitment to community stewardship following the establishment of UOB Foundation. Through a S$90 million commitment over five years, the UOB Foundation aims to uplift 250,000 children and youths across the region, translating UOB's long-standing commitment to doing right by our communities into measurable and lasting outcomes.
Guided by its purpose of "Building a Better Future for the Next Generation", the Foundation will deepen support for children, education, and the arts, while creating more opportunities for colleagues, customers, and partners to contribute through volunteerism and community engagement.
The Foundation is chaired by Ms Janet Young, Managing Director and Group Head of Channels and Digitalisation and Strategic Communications and Brand. She is supported by Board members, Mr Eric Lim, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, and Mr Sam Koh, Head of Group Finance.
Rallying our partners to create greater impact for communities
The UOB Heartbeat Run is an annual flagship volunteering and fundraising programme held globally across the region. Since 2007, the programme has raised more than S$24 million to help improve the lives of communities in need and support causes that are aligned to the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility focus areas of education, children and art.
Mr Danny Koh, Chairperson, Community Chest said, "UOB's partnership with Community Chest is a long-standing one, anchored in a shared belief that sustainable philanthropy is built through long term commitment and action. UOB continues to rally its people to give not just financially, but also by volunteering their time and skills, and championing inclusive hiring. The UOB Heartbeat Run reflects this commitment, bringing together thousands of employees and corporate partners year after year to support children, youth, and families in need. We are proud to partner UOB in this shared mission and look forward to building a more caring and inclusive society together."
This year, global sportwear group Avid Sports Singapore (ANTA) is supporting the event by producing 9,000 UOB Heartbeat T-shirts for participants across Asia. This is part of UOB and ANTA’s ongoing partnership, where both organisations opportunities to drive community engagement across ASEAN through sports and lifestyle initiatives.
At the event, five social enterprises (Artably, Artisan Collab, Flour Power, Singapore Fashion Runway, and Extra.Ordinary People) sold cookies and gifts designed by crafters with special needs and different abilities. UOB will dollar match the funds raised by the social enterprises at the event. All food and beverage partners (Lee Wee & Brothers, Kwazy Korndog, Nosh, Juicy, Mr Cane, Fei Zhu Lok Lok, The Topping Bar, 2 Ninja 1 Fatty, NiceRice and iJooz) will donate a portion of their proceeds towards the beneficiaries of 2026 UOB Heartbeat Run. In addition, several partners (ANTA, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Prudential, Neo Garden and Go Rental) also contributed sponsorship-in-kind for the event.
1 As of 14 August 2026
