VIP Charity Run 2017

On the 24^th of September (Sunday), Taylor’s University Pharmacy Student Society organized our very first VIP Charity Run in collaboration with Great Heart Charity Association. VIP stands for  V Inspire People and the theme of the run was “Breaking Bubbles, Spreading Hope”. One of the aims of the run was to raise awareness on depression and the theme “Breaking Bubbles, Spreading Hope” was chosen to encourage others to break out of their comfort zones and start reaching out to those struggling with depression whilst giving them hope.

The head committees of the run came up with the idea to have a run in July, which gave them only two months to prepare for the run. The event was first introduced through social media on the 28^th of July and from then onwards, the committees work long and hard to make sure the event was a success. Throughout the preparation, they faced many challenges such as getting approval from authorities, abiding to sponsorship requirements and reaching the target participants. Nevertheless, they never gave up and worked together to ensure that the event would still continue.

As the day of the event got closer, the marketing team creatively produced posters after posters to count down the day to the run and even created a promotional video to get the participants hyped up and excited for the run.

racekit collection booth 2 days before run day

When D-DAY finally arrived, the committees gathered diligently at 5.30am to set up the booths and to make sure all was in order before the event started. Registration and race kit collection opened at 6.00am and by 7.00am, the carpark area in front of Taylor’s University’s sports complex was filled with participants who couldn’t wait for the adrenaline rush.

 preparation of depression booth

 preparation of photobooth

 registration booth 

 preparation of registration booth

Wellchem sponsor booth

7.00am marked the time for the dynamic stretching routine to begin, however, the committees faced a technical problem whereby the PA system could not be set up in time.  Luckily, they were quick on their feet and asked the first aiders of St. John Ambulance if they could borrow their speakers to start off the event. Being as helpful as ever, the first aiders agreed and the MCs officially started the event with the dynamic stretching routine.

 Committees leading the dynamic stretching session

 The Mcs using the St. John Ambulance's van speakers

Our superb Mcs

By 7.30am the participants gathered at the starting point and once the air horn was blasted through the air the participants were far and away. Throughout the run route, the participants would have to cross two checkpoints and one water station. Committees and helpers were placed along the route to guide the participants and to cheer them on while some of the committees were waiting at the finish line to congratulate them for making it till the end. Finisher medals were given out at the finishing line to the top 100 female and 100 male finishers.

 Participants getting ready

 Participants gathering at starting point

Participants at starting line waiting for air horn to be blasted

 Finally flag off!!!

 run run run!

 preparation of water booth

Checkpoint 

 "Yay I finish!"

 Almost there!

 "Did I win???"

 Participants supporting each other to reach the finishing line

Participants racing to finish before the other

St. John Ambulance's first aiders at work 

Red bull ambassadors were also waiting at the finish line to give out cans of red bull to each participant to quench their thirst after the long and tiring 5km run. 

"Do you want some redbull?"

By 9.00am, all the participants reached the finish line and most of them were already enjoying their time taking pictures at the photo booth and playing with bubbles. At the same time, the booth for goodie bag collection opened and participants were thrilled to receive all the vouchers it contained.

Prize giving ceremony for the top 10 male and top 10 female commenced at 9.15am. It started with opening speeches by Ms Mew Wai from Great Heart Charity Association, followed by our lecturer, Dr. Jason Loo.

Jumpshot! 

 Dr. Jason giving his speech

 Our lecturer, Dr. Narendra who supported us

Ms. Mew Wai from Great Heart Charity Association giving her opening speech 

 Wellchem employes who ran to support us

Our lecturer, Dr. Renukha who supported us

Goodie bags

The top 3 finishers were gifted with an extra hamper and while the rest were gifted a special finisher medal that stated what place they finished the run. In between the prize giving ceremony, a lucky draw session took place and the lucky winners where definitely beaming widely as they went up the stage to receive their prize. Finally, by 11.00am, the MCs wrapped up the event by thanking all the participants for joining the run despite it being on a Sunday morning where most people would still be curled up in bed.

 Top 10 female winners

Top 10 male winners

Lucky draw winner 

 Lucky draw winner

 Special top 10 male and female medals

All the prizessss

Last but not least, a special thanks to all the organizing committees who did not give up on the event despite all the obstacles that were faced and for all the commitment that they put into this event to make certain it would be a success.  It’s safe to say that no matter how small or big each of their contribution was, it made a difference, so THANK YOU, for this event would not have been possible if not for them!  

💓 Our lovely committees 💓

Also, a million thanks to Dr. Jason Loo for being there for the organizing committee every step of the way and offering all his advices and time to make this event a dream come true. No words can describe how grateful we are to have you as our lecturer and advisor.

And of course not forgetting our photographer, Moses Lim , thank you for the awesome pictures of VIP Charity Run 2017. For more pictures of his work, please visit his FB page, Moses Lim Photography at https://www.facebook.com/moseslimphotography/

And really really last but not least, thank you to all our official sponsors for believing in us and to the first aiders of St. John Ambulance for the excellent support when it came to helping us start the event and being there for the those injured during the run. 

~Stay tune for VIP CHARITY RUN 2018~

Team Building 2017

On the 9th of September 2017, an annual team building event was held by our TuPSS committee to welcome our year one juniors who are new to Taylor's University's School of Pharmacy. This event involved students and lecturers from SOP, including the dean of SOP, Prof. Chua. The objective of this team building was not only for the participants to have fun and learn skills, but also for the freshmen to get to know the seniors, and for the seniors to share their experience as a pharmacy student in Taylor's University.

The registration started at 11am and we were glad that almost everyone from year 1 showed up that day. At 11.30am, participants were separated into 8 groups according to different colours. Then, they started to gather and sat together in a circle. Participants started with some fun ice breaking activities, for everyone to remember the names and the hobbies of their group members.

After breaking the ice between group members, we started with our first activity, The Charade. Each team was required to act out 20+ items and the rest of the teams were to guess what the team was acting. It was a new game introduced by the committee, and most of the participants including the lecturers enjoyed the activity very much.

After the fun yet interactive charade, lunch was provided for the participants and that was the time where the juniors could enquire the seniors for more information about pharmacy.

After lunch, there came the most exciting activity of the day, station games. 8 station games were set up for the teams, and each team must complete the station games and collect as many points as they could in limited time. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. From the photos below, we can see that everyone was having fun and working together as a team, and that is why we say, unity is the strength.

After the game, the committee introduced the highlight of the day. The detective game - "The Voix". It was a relatively new idea introduced by the year 3 committees, in which the participants must solve the mystery of the death of the billionaire. A crime scene was set up and the participants were required to examine the crime scene and solve the clues provided in the crime scene. Everyone enjoyed the game and they were thrilled by the clues set up by the committees as the clues were scattered around the crime scene and participants were directed to solve the clues one by one in order to solve the murder's mystery.

Everyone was scratching their heads for clues

Participants were required to complete the checkpoints during the detective game

After the physically and mentally exhausting game, the truth was revealed by showing the truth video to them. Participants were wowed by the truth as it was really an unexpected result due to the set up of the hidden clues.

Winning Team for The Charade

The 2nd runner up of the detective game

First runner up of the detective game

 The winner of the detective game

The team building ended with the prize-giving session, and a group photo was the perfect full stop to indicate the end of our team building. Last but not least, this event is not complete without the organizing committee sacrificing their time and putting their best efforts in organizing this team building. Thanks to all the lecturers and students who participated and making the event a successful one.

Introducing the team building committees! 

*On a side note, this will be the last update from the Editorial Board 2016/2017, I hope every one of you enjoyed reading the posts we posted on Facebook and on the blog. On behalf of Editorial Board, we would like to thank everyone who contributed to this blog, especially Jason and Hong, thanks for being our grammar checker and always contributing ideas on how can we improve our blog. Lastly, we wish all the best to the Editorial Board 2017/2018. Thanks everyone for your support in this year and we hope you can continue support TuPSS event in the future. 
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Signing off, 
Reynard Aw