This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 23, 2018

Several first-timers will represent plantation group TSH Resources Bhd — whose philanthropy is driven primarily by its desire to support quality education — in the 18th The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race.

“I was motivated to enter this year because of our chairman, Datuk Dr Kelvin Tan. As a keen runner, he was encouraging everyone to take part in this charity run,” says a member of the team.

For the team, to see Malaysians unified in the spirit of giving is more satisfying than winning the race, which will be flagged off at Padang Merbok on July 31.

“We will have a good time together! But most importantly, we hope to see the funds raised directed to the right organisations and for the right purpose,” says a runner in the Team category.

Another representative, who is running in the CEO category, says he is thankful he can lead by example, encouraging employees to join the fun run and take part in a good cause.

“We support the idea of running for charity; we will do well and enjoy every moment of it,” he says, adding that he, too, was inspired by the group chairman’s wise words in his decision to run.

In the past, TSH Resources has contributed RM50,000 to fund an initiative that helps improve English proficiency among primary school pupils, in addition to RM103,000 to support various charitable and philanthropic causes.

“We strongly believe that good works should be carried out with a genuine heart from the beginning to the end of the chain, that is from the organiser right up to the contributors, whether it is in monetary form or other resources.

“It should not be confined to race, religion, age or gender. It must come from the heart and, most importantly, you must be happy doing it,” says the company.