It was such a wonderful Sunday at the scenic Victoria Peak Hong Kong where more than 2,800 participants wearing Rotary caps, Santa hats or reindeer hats exercised our Rotary Theme 2003-2004 “Lend A Hand”. With the full efforts, dedicated participations and generous sponsorship from Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors , their friends and relatives, teachers, parents and kids from HK Ling Liang Church Kindergarten, we had successfully raised up to HKD2M from this District Fundraising Walkathon for Hepatitis B Immunization Project In China.

The fundraising walkathon was jointly organized with HK Ling Liang Church Kindergarten and co-organised by eight Rotary Clubs such as Rotary Club of Bayview Sunshine HK, Rotary Club of Channel Islands, Rotary Clubs of Happy Valley, Rotary Club of Hong Kong Bayview, Rotary Club of Kowloon Northwest, Rotary Club of Shatin, Rotary Club of Tolo Harbour and Rotary Club of Tsuen Wan, with the support from all Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors of District 3450 and HK Ling Liang Church Kindergarten Alumni Association.

The participants in this three- mile walk for Hepatitis B immunization included 600 children under the age of 6 and their parents, 300 children at the age of 14 to 18, Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, friends and relatives, teachers, government officials, religious leaders, television artists and members of the media. Backed by Ling Liang Kindergarten Alumni Orchestra, we sang together the Rotary and Kindergarten songs to initiate the opening ceremony at the Open Plaza of Peak Galleria in the beautiful sunny afternoon on Sunday 14 Dec., 2003.

“ Our District 3450 has extended its humanitarian and social services in Mainland China. Last year, we committed to work together with the Ministry of Health in China to vaccinate one million new born babies against Hepatitis B in ten years time”, said District Governor Jones Wong at the opening ceremony.” Hepatitis B is highly endemic and over one third of the world’s carrier is in China now.”

“This walkathon enables us to teach our children and kids from kindergarten to help and serve those in need “ said Sophia Chan, headmaster of HK Ling Liang Church Kindergarten and Chairman of District Fundraising Committee. ”Let all the children from our Kindergarten share their love with their parents to the new born babies in the poor area of China.”

Followed by the lively “Chic Dance” performed by the kids of HK Ling Liang Church Kindergarten which aroused all participants to dance on spots and the popular “Hip Hop Dance” performed by the Interactors of District 3450 which attracted even the people passing by at the Peak asking for the details of donations for this meaningful walkathon. Two television artists Miss Miu Siu Wai and Mr.Yuen Siu Cheung had cheered us up with a passionate speech and exciting imitate “Chic Dance” before District Governor Jones Wong and all VIPs who included the honorable guest Mr. Wang Rudeng, Assistant Director and Director General of HK Island Sub-office of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government HKSAR, officiated the walk.

“ We are so glad to be here with you all and to see such a mega fundraising event with fun and fund from the Rotary to help the needy. We are also very impressed to see so many participants and the huge fund that Rotary has raised” said Miu Siu Wai, the television artist of TVB.

Over 150 volunteers who came from the hard working staff members of HK Ling Liang Church Kindergarten together with the energetic Rotaractors and Interactors of District 3450 distributed toys, accessories, drinks and other donated souvenirs at ten checking points during the walk. The children had a very good time to participate the games at each checking points and they were so happy and surprised to meet a group of charming little angels, Santa Claus and shepherds to welcome them.