LOCAL

Splash turns five

This month marks five years since Splash Foundation formed with the aim of teaching adults and children from low income communities how to swim. Splash has created a community of able swimmers over the last half a decade, helping people build their confidence while also improving their health. The charity has taught over 3,000 migrant domestic workers, refugees and under-privileged kids, with many participants going on to join open water races and dragon boat teams. Co-founder Simon Holliday, was inspired to start the charity after noticing that domestic helpers in Central looked bored and frustrated as he passed them on his way to Repulse Bay Beach during weekends. “Most domestic helpers are from underdeveloped countries where learning to swim is a luxury,” he says. Over the years, many brave swimmers including Holliday have attempted the HK360 (a 45 kilometre swim around Hong Kong Island) to raise money for Splash. To celebrate their fifth anniversary, Splash has organised a range of events for everyone to take part in including the Splash Dash Relay on March 29 which aims to raise $1.5 million to continue to help under-served communities experience the joy of swimming. The swimming charity celebrates its fifth anniversary this month. Nicole Slater reports

A new Board of Directors has also been announced, including some famous names in the Hong Kong community; James Riley, Jo Soo Tang, Mark Stamper and Nikhil Eapen who have diverse backgrounds in finance, insurance, hospitality, philanthropy and public relation sectors. Holliday believes the new board “will help us transition from a grassroots charity to a significant, sustainable non-profit organisation. With the support of the board we will get closer to our goal of ensuring everyone in Hong Kong has the opportunity to learn to swim.” All smiles with Splash

To get involved in this month’s Splash Dash Relay or for more information on the charity visit splashfoundation.org