Ahead of World Autism Awareness Day tomorrow (2 April) more than 200 staff of OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad (OCBC Al-Amin) went the requisite 3-kilometre distance – walking, running or cycling – to raise RM25,300 for autistic children.

Into their seventh year in support of the efforts of Ideas Autism Centre (IAC), the staff of OCBC Al-Amin had created a virtual fundraising event this year due to the movement restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

OCBC Al-Amin Chief Executive Officer Tuan Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik, who led the way in the exercise, said the Bank was eager to continue raising awareness about autism and to provide a suitable fund-raising activity for its staff, many of whom are working from home has been sponsoring during this period.

“The idea of moving virtually – be it by walking, running or even cycling – was also beneficial to us as we needed to stay healthy as well. It was a meaningful exercise as we journeyed more than a collective 600 kilometres toward raising the RM25,300,” he said.

According to Founding President and Chairman of IDEAS, Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, the support from OCBC Al-Amin was timely and welcome.

“We are truly blessed and would like to thank OCBC Al-Amin staff who supported us in our efforts during this challenging time. We continue to need assistance and funding to provide quality care and education to the 39 autistic children here at our Centre. The kids were happy to make e-certificates for the Bank’s participating staff,” he said.