Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) is a staunch supporter of numerous charities and encourages its employees to do volunteer work, as part of its commitment to good corporate citizenship. SHKP established its Volunteer Team in May last year, bringing together caring and enthusiastic staff to help the less fortunate in society. About 800 employees have put in a total of 8,440 hours of volunteer work in the last year. SHKP recently held the first Volunteer Recognition Day ceremony to praise team members' outstanding performance and encourage more staff to devote their time to charity and social service.

A total of 58 honours were presented at the ceremony, including the Departmental Commitment Award, Social Welfare Department Recognition Award and 100% Commitment Award. SHKP Vice Chairman Raymond Kwok is also Chairman of the Volunteer Team. He praised staff for their willingness to show compassion for society in their spare time, in the spirit of the Group's philosophy of Building Home with Heart. Mr Kwok said he hopes the volunteers will continue to show their enthusiasm for making Hong Kong a more caring place.

SHKP has supported many local charities, helping unemployed school leavers, students, the elderly and the underprivileged. In the past year, the SHKP Volunteer Team led a fundraising campaign to build Hong Kong's first sensory garden at the Haven of Hope Sunnyside School for mentally-handicapped children and raised funds in the Let There Be Light campaign staged by the Hong Kong Society for the Blind. Staff volunteers also took part in a charity walk and delivered moon cakes for the Hong Kong Society for the Aged.

The SHKP Volunteer Team recently set up a Caring for the Elderly programme that provides regular assistance, care and support to volunteers looking after old people in poor health. Seminars are held to teach staff volunteers about caring for seniors. Looking ahead, the team plans to help more social service organizations as part of its efforts to contribute to society through direct action.