CDL Staff Taking on a Physical Challenge for Charity: Raised $200,000 for Assisi Hospice patients
published by Lianhe Zaobao on June 15, 2026
Translated from Lianhe Zaobao:
Running 64 shuttle laps, completing 953 battle rope swings and 205 wall ball throws, employees from City Developments Limited (CDL) pushed themselves to the limit in a fitness challenge that raised $200,000 for patients and families under the care of Assisi Hospice.
The challenge was part of Assisi Fun Day, the hospice’s annual charity carnival held on Sunday (June 14), where Assisi Hospice and CDL set out to raise $1 million to support compassionate care and services for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones.
Since 2017, CDL has supported Assisi Hospice through creative fundraising challenges. This year, inspired by Netflix’s hit fitness competition Physical: 100, the company organised a series of timed physical challenges.
Led by CDL Group Chief Executive Officer Sherman Kwek, eight employees competed in teams across shuttle runs, battle rope exercises and wall ball throws, while encouraging supporters and corporate partners to contribute to the fundraising effort.
Held at St. Joseph’s Institution International School, Assisi Fun Day attracted around 10,000 visitors. Businesses, church groups, schools and family-owned enterprises rallied behind the event, which featured more than 100 food, games and activity stalls. More than 200 CDL employees also volunteered, helping to run 10 food stalls throughout the day.
Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information, Mrs Josephine Teo, and Assisi Hospice Patron Ho Ching were among the guests who attended the event in support of the cause.
Expanding Care for More Patients
Last year, Assisi Hospice cared for around 3,500 patients through its inpatient, home care and day care services.
The hospice has since expanded its free home care programme and aims to serve 3,000 home care patients annually by the end of this year. From this month, its day care services have also become fully free of charge.
Beyond patient care, Assisi Hospice provides complimentary bereavement support. Its grief and bereavement service is available not only to families of hospice patients but also to members of the wider community coping with loss. Last year, around 200 individuals received one-to-one professional bereavement counselling.
These services are funded largely through public donations and subsidies from Singapore’s Ministry of Health, while inpatient hospice care is partially co-paid by patients and their families.
A Family’s Gratitude Inspires 15 Years of Giving Back
Among the day’s emcees was See Jingzhong, 44, a bank employee, who has volunteered as the carnival’s host for the past 15 years in gratitude for the care his family received from Assisi Hospice.
His mother, Tok Lye Hua, was diagnosed with Stage 3 uterine cancer in 2005, when See was just 23 and in his final year of university.
“I knew nothing about the disease. The internet wasn’t as developed then, and we didn’t have money. I felt completely lost and hopeless,” he recalled.
Through a hospital referral, Assisi Hospice nurses reached out to the family and began providing free home hospice care.
“For me, it was like seeing a ray of hope,” he said.
During the final five to six months of his mother’s life, nurses visited every two weeks, providing attentive care, teaching the family how to care for her, and offering emotional support. After she passed away the following year, Assisi Hospice also arranged for a doctor to certify her death at home, easing the burden on the family.
The experience inspired See to give back once he was financially stable. Today, he volunteers regularly at Assisi Hospice, helping nurses communicate with patients and families by providing English, Mandarin and dialect interpretation. He also donates to the hospice and volunteers with other community organisations.
“At the end of life, most people hope to spend their final days in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by family and loved ones,” he said.
“The fact that Assisi Hospice was willing to help regardless of language, religion or race showed me that kindness still exists in society. It touched me deeply, and it made me want to pass that kindness on to others.”
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