YMCA SG50 Speech Marathon – Speaking from the heart

To commemorate Singapore’s golden jubilee, the YMCA Toastmasters Club and Singapore Mandarin Toastmasters Club jointly organised the YMCA SG50 Speech Marathon in December 2015 to celebrate Singapore’s success as a multilingual and multicultural society and raise funds for YMCA’s Community Service Programmes. Mr Chan Soo Sen, who was the Guest of Honour at the inaugural Speech Marathon in 2000 returned to officiate the opening of the SG50 Speech Marathon.

Over a period of three days from 25 December to 27 December, the event witnessed over 500 speakers from all walks of life taking the stage and speaking on a variety of topics for 50 hours without pause, raising more than $37,000 through pledges for YMCA of Singapore. The line-up of speakers included champion speakers who have won at least one Toastmasters Club Speech Contest, intellectually-challenged individuals from various organisations and speakers from diverse nationalities, cultures and backgrounds. Four languages – English, Mandarin, Tamil and Hindi were used for the delivery of speeches, with English being the dominant language.

“This event is very special to us. It is a double celebration of Singapore's golden jubilee and Christmas for YMCA. It is a time of fellowship for all who share a common passion in public speaking. But above all, it is a time for us to remember, and help individuals who are less fortunate than us in spirit and in health,” said Mr Ernest Chen, Club Advisor, YMCA Toastmasters Club. “We are delighted and thankful that the event allowed us to provide a platform for people to speak and express themselves whilst raising funds to support YMCA’s work in empowering the less privileged in our community,” he added.

The SG50 Speech Marathon was awarded with a certificate for the Longest Speech Marathon (Team) in the Singapore Book of Records. Funds raised will go towards YMCA’s efforts in impacting lives and nurturing community champions through the YMCA Community Service Programmes which serve the intellectually and physically challenged, abused and underprivileged children, the hearing impaired, the elderly and the poor.

For more photos of the event, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/SG50SpeechMarathon.