NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings” or the “Group”; Hong Kong stock code: 659) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its First Trading Day by hosting the NWS Caring Day 2013 on 23rd February in partnership with the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association (“HKYWCA”). Over a hundred volunteers visited around 200 senior citizens in North District to kick off a long-term elderly services programme, “Joyful Age”, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to community care.

With a view to promoting elderly care and social cohesion, this year’s NWS Caring Day started in Fanling, where Executive Directors of NWS Holdings and senior management of member companies led over 150 staff volunteers and primary students from North District to hold a New Year banquet for senior citizens. The volunteers performed a ballon-made dragon dance, Chinese musical instruments and Chinese opera, to the great pleasure of their audience. Following the banquet, the volunteers visited elderly households in rural villages in Ta Kwu Ling.

According to figures from the Census and Statistics Department, there were approximately 33,000 people aged 65 or above in North District in 2011, representing around 11% of the population in the district. There are over 110 rural villages where some elderly residents are disconnected from the community. As part of the caring programme launched on 23rd February, volunteers from the Group’s NWS Volunteer Alliance will help strengthen senior citizens’ connection with their community through regular visits and activities, including farming day, cognitive training, haircut service and clown performances, in the first three years. Staff children will also be invited to participate in these volunteer services where they will learn to give back to community at a young age.

At the ceremony today, Tsang Yam Pui, Executive Director and Chairman of Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) Committee of NWS Holdings, said, “NWS Holdings is committed to sustainable development and community care. We are pleased to partner with the HKYWCA in launching a long-term service for elderly in North District to promote greater social cohesion as part of our anniversary celebrations. Moving forward, our volunteers will continue to support the community and reflect the spirit of our anniversary slogan: Celebrating a decade of success and beyond.”

Yvonne Yeung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association, said “HKYWCA has been serving North District for over 18 years now and operating two elderly care centres there. Reaching out to the elderly population in remote parts, however, remains a challenge. We are most grateful to NWS Holdings for the support given to the ‘Joyful Age’ programme, with which we can provide help and care for senior citizens through volunteer outreach and visits.”

Founded in 2001, NWS Volunteer Alliance has over 2,000 members who have contributed more than 100,000 hours in community service over the past 11 years. In 2006, NWS Holdings established NWS Holdings Charities Foundation to sponsor and support meaningful charity programmes in community welfare, environmental protection, education and health care.

Media Coverage
(1) 2013.02.24 《Sing Tao Daily》 A10「義工夥學生探訪村落長者 新創建與團體合辦社區關懷日」
(2) 2013.02.25 《Hong Kong Economic Times》 A16「『創建耆樂』 送暖北區長者」
(3) 2013.02.27《Eastweek》 P45 「新創建宴請長者歎盆菜」