Mr Tan Kwang Cheak, Vice-Chairman, SOS
Mr Terry Siow, CEO, SOS
Partners from SOS
Friends from the media
Our Supporters, Colleagues and Friends
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon, and a very warm welcome to SPD.
- We are delighted to have you here today as we mark an important milestone – the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SPD and the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), and the launch of the inaugural SparkAbility 2026: A Walk for Change.
- Today’s partnership is significant, not just because it brings together two well-established organisations, but because it reflects a shared conviction that strong, inclusive communities are essential to helping people not only survive, but thrive, at a time when mental health and social inclusion are more important than ever.
- Over the years, we’ve had opportunities to work alongside SOS, and have developed a deep respect for the work that they do. When we began exploring ways to scale up the SPD Ability Walk, one of our signature annual events, SOS was naturally one of the first organisations that came to mind. Since then, we have continued to see strong alignment in our values and purpose, reaffirming why this is such a meaningful partnership.
- Both our organisations were founded in the 1960s. We are guided by shared values such as respect, accountability, and innovation. We also share a deep belief that no one should face life’s challenges alone.
- From these common foundations came a bold idea – to bring together our respective signature charity events – the SPD Ability Walk and SOS’ Spark the Change Fest into a single, unified platform. That is how SparkAbility came about.
- SparkAbility is more than a fundraising event. It is a platform to deepen understanding of disability and suicide – two issues that are often misunderstood and stigmatised – and to raise awareness of disability inclusion and suicide prevention.
- While the experiences of disability and suicidal ideation may differ, they often share common threads – loss, uncertainty and isolation. SparkAbility reflects these realities, and the resilience that emerges when people are supported by caring communities.
- Let me share two stories that remind us why this partnership matters.
- The first is a former healthcare professional who struggled with undiagnosed depression and anxiety. At just 25, she sustained a spinal cord injury following a suicide attempt during a period of deep emotional difficulty. Her life changed overnight.
- Today, she is undergoing rehabilitation at SPD. With the support of her loved ones and our allied health team, she is rebuilding confidence and rediscovering purpose – reminding us that recovery is possible when care extends beyond the physical.
- The second is Ms Cheryl Tan, a customer service associate at a local public transport operator who lives with multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair for mobility. In the early days of her diagnosis, Cheryl faced immense emotional distress. There were moments when she thought of giving up – but she held on, especially for her mother.
- As a former SPD client and now an SPD Inclusion Champion, Cheryl gradually rebuilt her confidence through meaningful work, peer support, and the steady love of her family. These have helped her navigate a new chapter in life with resilience and dignity.
- By bringing stories like these into the public eye, SparkAbility 2026 aims to foster empathy, reduce stigma, and encourage earlier help-seeking – reminding us that support, when extended in time, can change lives.
- This partnership between SPD and SOS is a meaningful step forward, and we believe it sets a strong foundation for what is possible when social service agencies come together with a shared purpose. Our hope is that SparkAbility will grow into a platform that not only raises funds, but also changes mindsets and builds a more inclusive and compassionate society.
- I would like to thank Terry and the SOS team for your partnership on this significant collaboration. We look forward to growing SparkAbility into a meaningful, inclusive movement that rallies the community around compassion, connection and hope.
- To our partners, donors, volunteers and colleagues and friends from the media – thank you for walking this journey with us.
- SparkAbility 2026 will take place on Saturday, 19 September, at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay. We hope to see you there. We also invite you to support SparkAbility — whether through participation, partnerships, or contributions. Please also help us spread the word among your family, friends and business partners.
- Together, let us spark ability, spark change, and build communities where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued.
Thank you.