DFI Retail Group – Mannings and GNC won the Jardine Matheson Group Challenge with an astounding 1.8 million steps. John Witt (second from left), Group Managing Director of Jardine Matheson, presented the award to the team.

After a month-long campaign, the Walk Up Jardine House (“WUJH”) fundraising event concluded with a prize presentation and awards ceremony at Centricity, Central Hong Kong, to celebrate the biggest contributors towards raising awareness about mental health.

Over HKD$3.8 million was raised – the highest in the history of WUJH. The event saw almost 3,000 participants accumulate 67 million steps, equivalent to over 70,000 trips up the iconic Jardine House in Hong Kong.

WUJH is the Jardine Matheson Group charity MINDSET’s annual charity event, which seeks to raise funds and awareness for mental health initiatives and programmes. Themed “Beyond the Steps” for this year’s edition, the event commemorated 20 years of MINDSET’s contributions towards mental health, and encouraged participating sponsors, employees, and partners to look ahead to further their community impact for the next 20 years and beyond.

As opposed to the traditional one-day in-person event, WUJH 2022 was delivered to participants by way of step machines located in each office over the competition period. This innovative format helped more participants join, while also enabling safe social distancing. Each step machine was equipped with a digital screen which walked you through the 20-year journey of MINDSET, educational information on mental health, and access to a leadership board to track the competitors’ progress.

Stepping up for mental health

There were four categories for participants to compete in: The Jardine Matheson Group Challenge for Jardines companies, The Jardines Individual Challenge for Jardines employees, The Business Associates Group Challenge, and The Business Associates Individual Challenge.

Tat Chung Cheng, an employee from Hactl, a Jardine Matheson company, won the Jardines Individual Challenge and accumulated over 765,000 of steps over the campaign period – equivalent to 808 trips up Jardine House. “I’m proud to take part in such a meaningful cause. As a Jardines employee, not only was I able to raise awareness and do my part for mental health, but I also improved my fitness and bonded with my fellow colleagues at the same time,” he shared on his motivation. The 58-year-old trained for weeks prior to the contest period.

Alex Fung, who represented ANZ Group, won the Business Associates Challenge with over 652,000 steps – amounting to 689 trips up the Jardine House.

Rounding up MINDSET’s 20th anniversary celebrations

The WUJH 2022 Awards Presentation Ceremony saw some 120 guests come together to celebrate the fantastic results from WUJH. John Witt, Group Managing Director of Jardine Matheson, officiated the event and presented awards to the winning teams and individuals, which was also livestreamed to all participating businesses and NGO partners.

In October, MINDSET’s Mindbrew Pop-Up Store opened in LANDMARK ATRIUM, Central, Hong Kong. The pop-up café was staffed by baristas who have experienced mental health issues in the past and have since been part of MINDSET’s job training programme.

Since MINDSET’s founding in 2002, it has raised over HK$78 million through its major fundraising events, with total donations of over HK$107 million going to 33 different NGOs and charities to support 63 different projects. Through its charitable efforts, MINDSET has also enabled over 77,500 hours of volunteering and supported over 198,000 beneficiaries.