CPAS

Championing Para-Sports – Singapore Pools Supports Inclusive Sports For Persons with Cerebral Palsy

 

As part of World Cerebral Palsy Month in October, we shine a spotlight on our community partner, Singapore Pools (Private) Limited. Read on to find out more about how their active corporate volunteerism, coupled with funding efforts, have enabled unique experiences for persons with cerebral palsy in our care.In 2024, Singapore Pools launched the second edition of Community With A Heart (CWAH), which aimed to support Singapore’s Para-athletes and cultivate inclusive sports for persons with disabilities.

 

Panel discussion at Singapore Pools’ cheque presentation ceremony in November 2024, featuring Coach Yurnita Omar and Jeralyn Tan
Panel discussion at Singapore Pools’ cheque presentation ceremony in November 2024, featuring Coach Yurnita Omar and Jeralyn Tan, CPAS Connect alumni member and Singapore’s first ever Paralympic Boccia Silver medallist in the Women’s Individual BC1 category. Image Credits: Singapore Pools.

 

Singapore Pools rallied members of the public to participate in this initiative by ‘tapping’ virtual hearts through their mobile devices and interactive screens within 17 Singapore Pools outlets. With each ‘tap’, Singapore Pools and Tote Board pledged $2 (up to $500,000) to six CWAH beneficiaries through Community Chest, one of which was CPAS.

Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects muscle movement and posture. Persons with this condition may also have poor gross motor and fine motor functioning and often rely on mobility aids. This may limit access and participation to experiences such as sports.

Despite this, through 2025, the CWAH funding was utilized to fund a mixture of Para Sports programmes and events for our students and clients.

10 Singapore Pools volunteers joined our Annual Sports Day event at the Tampines Meridian Junior College School Hall. The event brought together over 200 students and clients from all our programmes, across all age groups.

From adaptive relays to frame running, every game was inclusive and accessible — proving that sports truly are for everyone. Mr. Desmond Tan, Grassroots Adviser to Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, graced the event as our Guest of Honour.

 

CPAS Sports Day 2025 participants from the Blue House
CPAS Sports Day 2025 participants from the Blue House cheering on their friends.

 

The CWAH funding also enabled other Para Sports exposure and try-out programmes for our clients.

 

Wheelchair Basketball workshop participants
Participants from GROW trying out chest passes during the Wheelchair Basketball workshop.

 

60 of our trainees from the Goodwill, Rehabilitation and Occupational Workshop (GROW) and CPAS Connect Alumni programme participated in a Wheelchair Basketball session conducted by the Wheelchair Basketball Association (Singapore). They had the opportunity to learn the basics of maneuvering on a wheelchair and practiced simple bounce and chest passes.

12 of our alumni members also participated in an 8-week Learn-to-Play Para Bowling session supported by volunteers from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC).

 

CPAS Connect alumni members after para bowling
12 CPAS Connect alumni members with their Certificates of Completion after successfully accomplishing 8 weeks of para bowling classes.

 

Our very own CPAS alumni and Paralympic Boccia medallist Jeralyn Tan, alongside her coach and CPAS staff Yurnita Omar from the CPAS Connect Alumni Programme, also had the opportunity to conduct a community outreach session introducing Boccia to 30 seniors from Allkin Singapore. The session was supported by 10 Singapore Pools volunteers, who helped to facilitate the friendly matches and adaptive games.

Amongst the volunteers was Mr. Chin Sau Ho, Senior Director of Community Partnerships and Communications, Singapore Pools, who shared:

“It was heartwarming to witness the impact of programmes that unite social service agencies like CPAS and Allkin. We saw first-hand how Boccia helped the seniors stay active, engaged and connected through play. At Singapore Pools, we are proud to support inter-agency collaborations like this and look forward to seeing more in the future.”

 

CPAS Connect alumni members with seniors from Allkin Singapore
Our CPAS Connect alumni members with 30 seniors from Allkin Singapore after a fun-filled day of playing Boccia.

 

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Singapore Pools (Private) Limited and volunteers for making all the programmes and activities possible.

Spare Your Change For Suzy with Singapore Pools!

For the second year running, Singapore Pools is participating in our World CP Month campaign — Spare Your Change For Suzy. From 1 October 2025, you can find the iconic e-Suzy donation doll on the digital screens at 17 Singapore Pools outlets islandwide!

Expanding the world for persons with disabilities is an ongoing collaborative journey. Donate to support our cause today: Dollar Matching: Spare Your Change for Suzy 2025 #SYC25 #SG60