Plucky Avengers Assemble!

Plucky Avengers assemble! For the fourth year, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and SPD formed a joint contingent at the Purple Parade. Read more of the fun day here.

For the fourth year running, SPD is delighted to partner Hewlett Packard Enterprise to form a parade contingent at the Purple Parade at Suntec City on 2 November.

Plucky Avengers assemble! For the fourth year, Hewlett Packard Enterprise partnered SPD to form a joint contingent for the parade march at the Purple Parade. In line with the themes for the last three years, namely, Plucky P, Pluckymon and Plucky Shark, this year’s theme was Plucky A, where A was short for Avengers. “Plucky” was chosen as it refers to being brave and courageous in face of difficulties.

Preparation for the contingent started way back where the staff of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and SPD brainstormed on the theme and the props for the event. This year’s props included Plucky A shields, drums, masks, body paintings and whistles to create a vibrant purple visual for our 130-member contingent. Our clients at our Day Activity Centre (DAC) also joined in the preparation by helping with the making of the purple drums. To ensure a well-organised and coordinated formation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise colleagues had practised drumming at their office so as to unify our contingent with the rhythm of the drum beats.

DAC clients helped out in the making of purple drums
DAC clients helped out in the making of purple drums

To the crowd’s delight, our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man dropped by and added to the lively atmosphere. Our clients were thrilled to have a photo opportunity with him.

SPD clients having fun with Spider-Man before the start of the parade march
SPD clients having fun with Spider-Man before the start of the parade march

For Sheltered Workshop trainee, Norhissam, he was excited to join the parade march using his motorised scooter, saying that it took some skills to manoeuvre his scooter while waving his Plucky A shield.

Sheltered Workshop trainee Norhissam with Hewlett Packard Enterprise volunteers (Photo: Norhissam)
Sheltered Workshop trainee Norhissam with Hewlett Packard Enterprise volunteers (Photo: Norhissam)

In addition to the parade march, our clients enjoyed food and snacks and some shopping with HPE volunteers at the carnival ground.

“It was an exceptionally vibrant and joyful occasion. I am privileged and proud to be part of the joint contingent with SPD, contributing to the promotion of inclusion and diversity. It was an enriching experience for me,”

– Priscilla Chong, Managing Director of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Singapore

Back to front: Ms Priscilla Chong, Managing Director and Mr Tony Gui, Chairman of Social Impact Committee, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Singapore, with Ms Chia Yong Yong, President of SPD at the Purple Parade 2019
Back to front: Ms Priscilla Chong, Managing Director and Mr Tony Gui, Chairman of Social Impact Committee, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Singapore, with Ms Chia Yong Yong, President of SPD at the Purple Parade 2019

Besides the contingent, this year was our first time working with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to set up the Parade’s first inclusive games booth. Participants were challenged to button up a shirt with one hand and pick up beans with chopsticks to simulate challenges of those with dexterity difficulties, as well as to guess words that were typed out in Braille. Through these activities, we hoped to create greater awareness of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in their daily tasks among the participants.

“After weeks of planning and preparation, we are glad that the games were a success! It was heartening to see children and adults of all ages put in their best effort to complete the tasks while gaining awareness of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities!”

– Cami Thew, NTU student

A young participant trying out the Braille word game at NTU-SPD “You Can Do It!” activity booth
A young participant trying out the Braille word game at NTU-SPD “You Can Do It!” activity booth

“It was a good opportunity to promote awareness for the special needs community via games that have disability messages. We would like to thank the NTU students for their hard work in brainstorming the game ideas, preparing and executing the games,”

– Mitchell Leow, Director, Community Partnerships, SPD

Thank you Hewlett Packard Enterprise and NTU for being our partners and we hoped that everyone had fun that day!