RBC marked 50 years in Singapore with over $1 million committed to Singapore Children's Society.
The Singapore National Stadium came alive on Aug. 17, 2025, as nearly 4,000 individuals of all ages gathered to support Singapore Children’s Society .
For the third consecutive year, RBC partnered with the charity for its Walk for Our Children event, which features the RBC Race for the Kids and brings together participants united by one goal: making a tangible difference in the lives of young people and families.
What began as a single event in New York City in 2009 has grown into a global initiative. Over 525,000 participants have raised more than C$118 million in combined fundraising for youth charities around the world.
The Walk for Our Children event saw several significant changes as a result of integrating into “Weekend with a Heart” – a two-day community festival held as part of the nation’s SG60 commemorations, marking Singapore’s 60 years of independence in 2025. These changes included the introduction of a 5km timed race (in prior years, the race was untimed), to cater to both competitive runners and casual participants, and a new race route that showcased Singapore’s natural beauty, with participants starting at OCBC Square at The Kallang, running along the scenic Geylang River and finishing inside the Singapore National Stadium.
In addition to the race, a post-event carnival was packed with activities for the entire family, featuring food trucks, live performances and a community play zone complete with games, bouncy castles and carnival booths.
The Walk for Our Children event carried a powerful theme: “Creating Safe Spaces, One Connection at a Time.” This message highlighted how everyday interactions form the foundation of strong, supportive relationships that empower young people to thrive. Through interactive activities on event day, participants learned about the Developmental Relationships Framework – developed by the Search Institute – and how small acts of care and attention matter. The framework emphasizes five key elements: expressing care, challenging growth, providing support, sharing power and expanding possibilities.
The race held special significance for RBC, which celebrated its 50th anniversary of operations in Singapore in 2025. Race for the Kids was one of several activities held by RBC throughout the year to celebrate this milestone, all underscoring the firm’s commitment to helping clients thrive and communities prosper.
More than 500 individuals took part in the 2025 RBC Race for the Kids in Singapore, with many then returning to the starting line to join the 2km Walk for Our Children. Together, these events raised S$850,000 for Singapore Children’s Society , with RBC employees, friends and family contributing S$60,000 through their participation alone. Furthermore, it was announced at the event that RBC had donated more than $1 million to the charity over the course of their relationship.
“RBC has been a valued partner on this journey, walking alongside us year after year,” says Kurt Wee, chairman of the Community Engagement and Partnerships Standing Committee at Singapore Children’s Society. “Their support has helped us extend our reach and strengthen our efforts to support children and youth through meaningful community connections.”
The organization provides a wide range of services to children and youth. For example, it runs a service called Sunbeam Place @ Children’s Society, a residential home for children and youth ages two to 21 who need protection and care due to abuse and severe neglect. Through casework and counselling, the centre supports children and their families towards reunification. For those who are unable to return to their families, Sunbeam Place offers a range of programs to strengthen their abilities and equip them with essential life skills, supporting a smoother transition to independent living.
In 2024 alone, Singapore Children’s Society reached 20,187 service users across their 10 service centres islandwide.
“Young people in our community deserve access to the best resources to set them up for a thriving future,” says Rod Ireland, head of RBC Wealth Management – Asia, Global Markets, APAC. “Singapore Children’s Society’s Walk for our Children featuring RBC Race for the Kids gives us an opportunity to not only get active but to support these young people.”