The Inaugural Spark for Good Awards on 20th October 2022 celebrated the stars in our community — the non-profit organizations, companies and individuals who have made a difference over the past 2 years.

The Spark for Good Awards honour the generosity, determination and imagination of charities, fundraisers and the companies and individuals that support them.

This year we launched a call for public nominations and announced the finalists and winners at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club after a selection process by a panel of independent judges.

The event kicked off with an inspiring talk by Sally Lo, BBS, MBE, Founder of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, who spoke about her personal experience founding, growing and fundraising for what is today the largest cancer support organisation in Hong Kong. She was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion “Through the Looking Glass: Nonprofits Emerging from the Pandemic“. The panel was moderated by Nadia Rangira, ResolveHK 2020 Social Justice Fellow & L&DR paralegal at Clifford Chance, and with panelists Amy Chang, Head of Communications & CSR, APAC, Deutsche Bank, Jo Hayes, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong, and Lehui Liang, Head of Purpose Capital, Social Ventures Hong Kong.

The gala luncheon was supported by generous table sponsors including Linklaters, members of the Wellesley College Club of Hong Kong, and the Wall Family. Guests were also treated to tea from tea pigs and a Pink Revolution key chain from Hong Kong Cancer Fund, with generous prizes also offered by sustainable drinks shop Green Bottle Co, ethical lifestyle and gifts shop ethikaal, and author James Fok.

Awards and Winners

Demonstrated sound understanding of a social issue/need and matched it with a creative solution which is able to bring about support from the community.

ImpactHK – Winner

One of ImpactHK’s solutions to the 20% increase in homelessness brought about by the pandemic is to empower people to follow their hopes and dreams, and to create a better life through employment – a powerful way to end the cycle of homelessness. With a target of HK$1 million in 24 days, their campaign, Transform a life this Christmas did not just transform one life, but more than 8 lives! Huge thanks to the community’s Christmas gift to the homeless community.

Chicken Soup Foundation – Finalist

Chicken Soup Foundation’s urgent and compelling campaign, not only raised funds, but raised awareness on the importance of providing focused support to single-parent families.

Christian Action Centre for Refugees – Finalist

The organisation’s flash appeal to rebuild their Community Centre damaged by a fire caused by faulty wiring was not only desperate, but also uncertain as their pleas couldn’t have come at a worse time – the height of the pandemic! However, with their commitment and compelling storytelling, they were able to touch upon the heart of the community – even receiving $70 from a student with a message of love and support!

Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong – Finalist

Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong’s timely launch of its emergency appeal to support the most vulnerable families living in substandard housing during the height of the pandemic enabled them to work with 19 local NGOs to distribute home hygiene packs to 2,500 families, raised an astounding amount of HK$1 million (including funds raised on SparkRaise, offline donations and sponsorship)! “WOW!” – is the expression of their CEO as she wholeheartedly gave thanks to all the supporters.

HandsOn Hong Kong – Finalist

HandsOn’s initial idea of raising funds to be able to provide 150 Care Packages to 3 of their partner NGOs doubled in just 2 hours as the community responded with gusto to their humble but very efficient call for action! Never have we seen a response that fast in an online campaign in the city! Another WOW.

Kunj Gandhi, Quarantine Support Group – Finalist

Kunj’s online journey to offer support to the community affected by the pandemic did not start with her campaign raising funds for Feeding HK and Refugee Union. It started when she and her friend, Siddiqi created HK Support Group (formerly known as HK Quarantine Support Group). Now with over 97k members, their efforts showed how a little spark can ignite hope in the most desperate and darkest of times.

The Nesbitt Centre -Finalist

The Nesbitt Centre’s cakes are not just crafted with love by their staff with learning disabilities, but also baked and sprinkled with hope to our local heroes on the frontline of the pandemic. Their cakes brought a sweet smile to our frontline heroes as well as the little bakers of The Nest Bakery. Cake for Heroes. Baked by Heroes.

    Showcases organisations or campaigns that take novel approaches to navigate a complex and ever- changing fundraising environment.

PathFinders – Winner

The pandemic brought about a 32% increase in PathFinders’ caseload, (roughly 170 cases per case worker) which meant that they have had to look for additional resources to cope with the growing demand. In the past, the organisation relied on its annual fundraising dinner, which wasn’t possible due to the COVID-19 restrictions. For the first time, they decided to launch several initiatives including the campaign Help PathFinders Bridge the Gap! Help indeed came as the public answered and raised over HK$1 million for PathFinders!

ImpactHK – Finalist

ImpactHK’s inaugural World Homeless Day 2021 was created to bring together their fundraising aims, schools’ outreach program, and observance of World Homeless Day. The aim is to get the schools more involved to raise more awareness, empower ImpactHK’s community helpers (beneficiaries of the program) and raise funds through creative videos or artworks by the students. Owing to the success of the pilot campaign, ImpactHK’s World Homeless Day has become one their signature fundraising events!

Splash – Finalist

Splash’s annual Splash Dash Relay has been canceled for 2 consecutive years due to the pandemic, but thanks to the suggestion of one of their donors to raise funds through a swimming event, the idea of the SPLASHATHON was conceived. Raising 160% of their original target, the campaign not only raised funds but made waves in the community!

Cora & Mary Ho – Winner

Cora and Mary not only raised 169% of their original target, but also completed what seemed like a “nutty endeavor” (according to both of them). The Plan: to cycle 300km in one day (100km HK Island; 100km Kowloon/N.T. and lastly, 100km in Lantau). These 2 women pushed their physical capabilities while also raising funds and awareness about the refugee situation in Hong Kong. Win-win!

Jay Minns – Finalist

“In life, you have to have the why.” – Jay says.

Fundraising for ImpactHK, Jay not only conquered the 4x4x48 hour challenge (4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours) he set for himself but reached 265% of his target amount!

Rapha Cycling Club – Finalist

The Rapha Ambitious 220 charity ride aims to help raise awareness on the Autism Spectrum and invaluable funds for the RCCHKG’s appointed local charity, Autism Partnership Foundation (APF). With members from the RCCHKG together with the Randonneurs Hong Kong, they not only challenged themselves to ride 354km (220 miles) but also raised funds and awareness for a very important cause!

Alex Jenn & Team, English Channel Swim for Lighthouse Relief – Winner

For Alex and his team, challenging themselves to swim across the English Channel to raise funds for charity Lighthouse Relief was a stark reminder of the real stories of refugees and asylum seekers fleeing their homes to embark on harrowing journeys to safety. Over 160+ supporters contributed to raising over US$23k and 236% of the original target!

Mhairi Jerga, Rebuild our Community, Centre for Refugees – Finalist

A former staff member of the Centre, advocate and supporter of the cause and most importantly, a friend to a number of refugees, Mhairi did what she knows best (and from a distance) – to fundraise with a flair! With 177% reached and new friends in Singapore formed, Mhairi is a Centre ambassador forever. Wherever. Whenever.

Li Po Chun United World College, Class of 2001 – Winner

We are Class 2001 of LPCUWC, from 70+ nationalities and a diverse background. But one thing was common: We benefited from the quality United World College (UWC) education, and embrace the idea of international understanding, celebrating diversity and striving for world peace. Many of our lives were changed as a result of UWC education, and many of us are changing others’ lives as we live out the values of what we learned. Please see a video of one of us on how we are trying to make the world a better and equal place.

– Sunny Chau, alumnus of LPCUWC, fundraiser for a great cause.

Hong Kong Academy, 20th Anniversary – Finalist

Possibly the most funds raised on a single campaign via SparRaise’s platform for this period, the success of HKA’s 20th Anniversary Campaign meant that all these programs are able to continue. Thanks to all the generous support from everyone!

The Wall Family – Winner

Looking at the refugee crisis from the eyes of a child. The Walls Family is probably one of the bravest (living in Chungking Mansions at the height of the pandemic), compassionate and cutest families to ever use the platform. With possibly one of the most compelling peer-to-peer-fundraising video campaigns, the Walls Family not only walked a mile in refugees’ shoes, but also raised awareness around this issue and raised funds for the Centre for Refugees!

Project Santa (Thomas Tang)- Finalist

A gift is more than what’s inside the box or package in Project Santa. It is a symbol of love and reinstating hope in humanity. A gift of hope not only for the children, but to their parents too.

Project Privates – Finalist

An initiative by Y12 students from German Swiss International School (GSIS), Project Privates started off raising awareness on men’s health. They later shifted to urgent and emergency support for the most vulnerable, choosing Christian Action as the charity recipient. Raising 124% of their target, these students showed how they, too, can be part of the solution!

Deutsche Bank – Winner

At Deutsche Bank, we aim to create a positive impact for people and society at large. In 2021, our CSR initiatives impacted 1.8 million people globally, and more than 15,400 of our employees volunteered over 133,000 hours to support community projects around the world.

As well as making a difference on the ground, we want to help to improve the bigger picture. We do this by advancing new ideas through advocacy, coalition and dialogue.

All of these efforts contribute to the most important global policy initiative of this era, the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Our CSR activities help progress the Sustainable Development Goals of poverty reduction, quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, and sustainable cities and communities – based on reliable partnerships to tackle societal challenges.

~ Ms. Amy Chang, Head of Communications and CSR, Asia Pacific

John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd -Finalist

The Swire Group has been giving back to the Hong Kong society through the Swire Trust for nearly 40
years. The charitable donation focuses on three main pillars – Education, Marine Conservation, and the Arts – serving the children, youth, and the underprivileged community. In 2021, HK$63 million was distributed to over 60 charitable programmes.

In the area of volunteering, one key activity is their week-long volunteering in December 2021, offering a range of volunteering and experiences. Volunteering includes packing food boxes and reconfiguring
abandoned oyster reefs, and Experiences include going on a Sham Shui Po tour led by a previously
homeless person or taking a Tsim Sha Tsui walk to learn about the life of refugees in Hong Kong. We
believe that Experiences are equally important as Volunteering in connecting our staff with needs of our society.

~ Betty Tai, Project Manager

Linklaters – Finalist

At Linklaters, we are driven to make a difference, to our clients and to the world we live in. Our social impact work is about empowering people around the world and helping them to transform their lives. We seek to achieve this by drawing on all our skills and capabilities, focusing on providing not-for-profit organisations with business skills and bringing those from under-represented groups into employment.

Since January 2020, the Hong Kong office has made over 20 donations of funds to non-profit organisations and volunteered over 1500 hours.

~ Penny Barsha, Corporate Responsibility Manager – Asia

Stephenson Harwood – Finalist

We are honored to have been nominated for this award. While there’s still much to be done, our firm has a long tradition of active CSR, pro bono and D&I. Just within the 18 months since I have joined the firm, I have seen how much our two committees (CSR (inclusive of pro bono) and D&I) have done and are trying to find more synergy to link up the respective programs as well as our global decarbonisation and ESG efforts, gradually moving towards an integrated “responsible business” model. I am excited to see how we can launch more programs that are impactful and strategic.

~ Tze-wei Ng, Solicitor, Co-lead of CSR Committee (Hong Kong)

Citi Asia Trading Strategies & ImpactHK – Winner

Citi Asia Trading Strategies used a very creative approach, bringing everyone in their team to be inspired and involved. They also showed concern and interest in the cause, coming down to our centre to learn about our work and volunteering in one of our Kindness Walks to help people in need. And they surpassed their target by 15% raising an incredible total of 1,021,452 HKD, all in just a few
weeks! All in all, incredible fundraising and it allowed us to provide safe shelter for around 60 people
every single night for just under four months, earlier this year.

~ Charlotte Tottenham, Head of Fundraising Team, ImpactHK

Animoca Brands – Finalist

It is our responsibility to care about Hong Kong’s most vulnerable citizens and animals during difficult times such as the Covid-19 5th wave, so we supported various organisations such as PathFinders, CrossRoads; ChickenSoup Foundation; Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong; Hong Kong Blind
Union; The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong; SPCA; Refugee Union; Hong Kong Paws Foundation; Hong Kong Dog Rescue and Cat Society.

~Karolina Pietrzak, Social Media Manager

Eaton HK – Finalist

As part of our longstanding commitment to community service and impact, we’ve launched different initiatives to give back to and support our community’s most vulnerable groups. Highlight includes: Community food shelf, community library, and we’ve donated family staycation packages as well as mooncake gift boxes that we prepared specifically to share with underprivileged and low-income families.

~Champy Chan, Director of Marketing

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS AND FINALISTS OF THE 2022 SPARK FOR GOOD AWARDS!