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HKSOS x Sowers Action Challenging 12 Hours Charity Trail Marathon 2025

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Over 1,300 Participants Run to Support Underprivileged Students

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 November 2025 – The HKSOS x Sowers Action Challenging 12 Hours Charity Trail Marathon 2025 successfully took place today (2 November). The event, co-organized by Sowers Action and the mobile application HKSOS, was officiated at the kick-off ceremony by the Hon. of the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung. Other officiating guests included the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Information Systems), Ms. Kwan Chui-ching; the Assistant Director (Kowloon) of the Fire Services Department, Mr. Tsang Wing-hung; Divisional Commander (Kowloon East), Mr. Chu Man-chiu; Assistant Commissioner (World Customs Organization) of the Customs and Excise Department, Mr. Li Kin Kei; Acting Chief Pilot (Operations) of the Government Flying Service, Mr. Lui Tak-shun; and Staff Officer of the Auxiliary Medical Service, Mr. Siu Kwan-choi.

More than 1,300 runners participated across four race categories — 42km, 28km, 14km, and a 3km Family Fun Run — joining forces for a meaningful cause to support education for underprivileged children while promoting outdoor safety.

Sowers Action Chairman Mr. Raymond Lee expressed heartfelt thanks to all participants:“We sincerely thank all government departments, sponsoring organizations, volunteers, runners, and members of the media for their unwavering support and participation, which made the “Challenging 12 Hours Charity Trail Marathon” possible. Over the past 34 years, Sowers Action has extended its footprint across 16 provinces and 248 counties in Mainland China, as well as in various overseas regions. In recent years, we have also established the Sowers Action Service Centre in Sham Shui Po, serving over 1,600 grassroots families in Hong Kong. The ‘Challenging 12 Hours’ has been our signature charitable event for 27 consecutive years, and we are honored to collaborate with “HKSOS” this year to not only raise funds for children’s education but also to promote mountain and outdoor safety awareness. The success of this event truly relies on the collective efforts of everyone involved. In line with our belief that ‘Kindness Knows No Borders’, we are deeply grateful to every participant whose generosity helps sustain our mission in education and empowerment. Wishing all runners a safe and successful race, embodying the spirit of ‘Doing Good Brings Joy’.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Information Systems) Ms. Kwan Chui-ching remarked:“It is an honour for the Hong Kong Police Force to co-organize the ‘Challenging 12 Hours Charity Marathon’ with Sowers Action, bringing together the dual missions of education and technology. Since its launch in 2024, the HKSOS mobile application has successfully assisted over 270 citizens, averaging one rescue every two days. Its patented system integrates AI-powered incident detection, direct linkage to the 999 emergency centre, and an emergency contact network, forming a robust ‘safety triangle’ designed to enhance outdoor safety. We are especially delighted that over 1,300 runners participating today have downloaded HKSOS. Two weeks ago, our team also successfully conducted a satellite rescue test at an altitude of 5,600 meters in Nepal, marking an important milestone in validating cross-border emergency response capabilities. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to China Mobile Hong Kong for their strong support, and to every participant who has joined us in promoting both charity and safety through technology. I wish all runners a safe race and great success in this meaningful event.”

Secretary for Security Mr. Chris Tang also said: “I am delighted to once again be invited by Sowers Action to officiate at the ‘Challenging 12 Hours Charity Trail Marathon 2025’ and to witness the results of the runners’ dedication and hard training. Over the years, Sowers Action has been steadfast in supporting underprivileged children both in Hong Kong and overseas. In recent years, the organization has also refocused its efforts locally, including the establishment of a support centre in Sham Shui Po to assist grassroots families. This year, the event is expected to raise over one million Hong Kong dollars, a strong reflection of the city’s spirit of compassion and community engagement. In addition to the popular 3 km Family Run, I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the six disciplined services and two auxiliary services under the Security Bureau for forming multiple teams to take part in the 42 km race, together with youth uniformed groups — jointly passing on the spirit of charity and service. Every participant, regardless of ranking, has already made a meaningful contribution to children’s education through their actions. This truly embodies the event’s mission of ‘Changing Lives Through Running’.”

This year’s event raised funds for Sowers Action’s Education Assistance Program for Underprivileged Students. All proceeds will support initiatives improving learning conditions and educational facilities both locally and abroad. Past projects have funded teacher development, school renovation, and the purchase of learning equipment — enabling students from deprived backgrounds to continue their studies under better conditions. Sowers Action has provided educational support in mainland China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, and Nepal. As of June 2025, its total funding contributions have exceeded HK$794 million.

At the same time, the event promotes public awareness of mountain and outdoor safety. Since the HKSOS mobile application launch in January 2024, it has successfully assisted 247 individuals in distress, demonstrating the importance of safety knowledge in outdoor activities.

To encourage family engagement, this year’s race continued to feature the 3km Family Fun Run, enabling parents and children to enjoy outdoor exercise while supporting a good cause.Now in its 27th year, the Challenging 12 Hours Charity Trail Marathon has drawn over 40,000 total participants and raised more than HK$55 million for educational projects, benefiting over 500,000 children in need.

This year’s race achieved remarkable results. In the 42 km category, Yip Tung Hoi claimed the Men’s Championship with an impressive finishing time of 4 hours, 24 minutes and 46 seconds, while Ng Chin Nam won the Women’s Championship in 5 hours, 9 minutes and 22 seconds. The result for the Team Relay Champion is “Team A”, comprising Lai Ka Pak、Swalikh Mohammed 、Chan Yu Fai、Tam Sze Huang, who completed the race in 7 hours, 4 minutes and 56 seconds.

In the 28 km race, Lee Ho Tin took the Men’s title in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 13 seconds, while Dau Wing Sze finished first in the Women’s category with a time of 2 hours, 57 minutes and 41 seconds. The Open Team Champion was “Team TNF”, comprising Chong Chak Long, Huang Tsz Hei, Chung Kam Ho and Chan Chin Shing, who completed the race in 3 hours, 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

For the 14 km race, Zeng Tsz Shing won the Men’s Championship with a time of 58 minutes and 27 seconds, while Lee Tsz Tung secured the Women’s title in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 44 seconds. In the Open Team Category, Team “Walk Faster! Hey!” finished first with a time of 1 hour, 33 minutes and 59 seconds.

The 3 km Family Run was also filled with laughter and joy, as father-and-son duo Tsang Pui Yat and Tsang Siu Keung — one of this year’s event ambassadors — finished first with a remarkable time of 14 minutes and 29 seconds, taking home the Family Category Championship.

The event was supported by numerous generous sponsors, including China Mobile Limited as Diamond Sponsor, ICAP as Trail Section Sponsor, COSCO SHIPPING International (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. as Gold Sponsor, and Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund, Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings, The Overlander, VÅGA, Medik Pro Group, Regenflex, Bright Future Pharmaceutical Laboratories Limited, SPEEDTOX, Acti-Tape, and others as Silver Sponsors.

Bronze Sponsors included Po Lin Monastery, Shang Sin Chun Tong Charitable Foundation, VTech Holdings Limited, Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited, New Town Medical, Cool Partners International Limited, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., HILX, Nutriworks Limited, Tiger Balm, Chuan Tong Natural Fermented Yogurt Limited, Legacy Footcare and HMN International Smart Co., Limited. Dozens of volunteers from various organizations and government departments served along the trail, providing water, snacks, timekeeping, and first aid support — ensuring every participant could complete their race safely and enjoyably.

Hashtag: #SowerAction

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Sowers Action

Established in 1992, Sowers Action is a non-religious, non-political and non-profit-making charitable organization in Hong Kong, committed to promoting educational development and supporting livelihood needs, including school construction, student sponsorship, teacher training, children’s home operation and community development, to help disadvantaged groups around the world.
Sowers Action adheres to the principle of “Field Assessment, Direct Funding, and Long-term Follow-up.” Every dollar raised goes entirely to education projects, with operational expenses covered by separate fund-raising.
By December 2024, Sowers Action had funded educational and humanitarian projects in mainland China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, and Nepal, with accumulated funding exceeding HK$781 million.
Subsidies over the Years*
Mainland China:
  • Constructed 1,310 schools and dormitory buildings, and funded 463 supporting educational facilities.
  • Sponsored education for 500,000 student beneficiaries, covering primary, secondary, university, and vocational school levels.
  • Provided training for 32,000 teachers, including special education and English instruction programs.
  • Distributed 180,000 winter jackets to students living in remote mountainous regions.
  • Supported the operation of three children’s homes and one girls’ high school.
Hong Kong:
  • Established a community service centre serving over 1,400 grassroots families, offering programmes related to child development and family well-being.
  • Supported the learning needs of underprivileged children through after-school tutoring, free music lessons, and distribution of stationery kits and computers, benefiting more than 7,700 participants.
  • Provided training and support for approximately 2,000 children with special educational needs (SEN) and their families.
  • Offered care to low-income households by distributing anti-pandemic supplies and emergency food items during the COVID-19 pandemic, and festive caring packages during holidays — with over 40,000 beneficiaries in total.
Myanmar:
  • Constructed 90 schools, dormitories, special education centres, and supporting infrastructure projects.
  • Carried out improvement works for 237 schools, including installing solar lighting systems and multimedia teaching facilities.
  • Built deep water wells for six schools located in arid and saline areas, benefiting the entire local community.
  • Provided assistance to 16,000 students, including school meal programs and education sponsorships.
  • Donated 20,000 winter jackets to children in the cold mountainous regions of northern Myanmar.
  • Supported two children’s homes through funding and facility improvement.
  • Conducted humanitarian relief operations, distributing 150,000 pieces of anti-pandemic supplies and 130 oxygen concentrators to communities in need.
Thailand:
  • Constructed five school buildings and dormitories, and funded six computer facilities.
  • Sponsored the education of 630 Chinese-language students.
  • Supported Chinese-language teacher training programmes, and for two consecutive years distributed Spring Festival gift packs to over 500 teachers.
Nepal:
  • Funded one school facility project and provided school meals to 1,800 students.
  • Distributed 10,000 winter jackets to children living in mountainous regions.
  • Supported the operation of one children’s daycare centre.
  • Established Chinese language classes to enhance participants’ employability.
  • Conducted eight humanitarian aid projects, providing emergency relief and living supplies to 50,000 people affected by natural disasters.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, donated 400 oxygen concentrators, medical and oxygen supplies to 11 medical centres, offered food aid to 2,250 households and three children’s homes, and delivered 1,000 meal boxes daily for one month.
  • Supported five livelihood projects, including community improvement, agricultural development, and medical outreach programmes.
(*Board of Directors’ Approved Projects)

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Swiss-Belhotel International Unveils Mobile App, Advancing its Integrated Digital Ecosystem

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21/04/2026

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JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 April 2026 – Swiss-Belhotel International, has announced the launch of its Mobile App, marking a major milestone in the Group’s comprehensive digital transformation journey. Designed to bring convenience, value, and connectivity into a single platform, the app reflects Swiss-Belhotel International’s continued commitment to enhancing the guest experience through smart, integrated technology.

Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App

The launch of the Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App completes a strategic technology upgrade initiated last year, which included the implementation of a new booking engine, the transition to an enhanced website, and the introduction of an advanced Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. With the addition of the mobile app, Swiss-Belhotel International now offers a fully connected digital ecosystem, ensuring a seamless journey from discovery to booking and beyond.

Commenting on the launch, Matthew Faull, Executive Director and Senior Vice President – Information Technology, E-commerce and Distribution, said: “The launch of the Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App represents the completion of a carefully structured digital transformation programme. By aligning our booking engine, website, CRM and now mobile platform into one connected ecosystem, we are able to deliver a more efficient, responsive and guest-centric experience. This is not simply about technology adoption, but about creating meaningful value through integration.”

Adding to this, Priyanka Kapoor, Group Director – Sales, Marketing, Branding and Communications, said: “At the heart of this launch is our commitment to our loyal guests. The Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App allows us to offer greater value, more personalised engagement, and exclusive member benefits. It reinforces our focus on direct relationships with our guests, ensuring they receive the best rates, the best privileges, and a seamless brand experience.”

Built around the principle of ‘One App, Many Benefits,’ the Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App enables guests to book directly at the best available rates while unlocking exclusive member privileges. Users can easily sign up or log in to access personalised offers, ensuring that loyal guests are consistently recognised and rewarded.

More than a booking tool, the app is designed to simplify the entire travel journey, offering a streamlined, intuitive interface that enhances both convenience and engagement. By integrating its core digital platforms into a single environment, Swiss-Belhotel International strengthens its ability to deliver a consistent and elevated guest experience across all touchpoints.

As digital expectations continue to evolve, Swiss-Belhotel International remains focused on investing in technologies that enhance accessibility, strengthen guest relationships, and support long-term growth. The Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App stands as a key step in this direction – bringing together innovation, efficiency, and guest-centricity within a single, unified platform.

Hashtag: #SwissBelhotelInternational #HospitalityTechnology #Hospitality





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Swiss-Belhotel International

Swiss-Belhotel International operates in 20 countries, managing 165+* hotels, resorts, and projects across New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, with regional offices in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, China, Indonesia, UAE, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Committed to delivering world-class hospitality, the group also offers the Swiss-Belexecutive Card (SBEC), a loyalty program providing many benefits, discounts from 10% to 35% on rooms, dining, and other services, plus priority check-in, complimentary upgrades, and late check-out. No collecting points, no waiting for redemption, with the free-to-join Green Global tier, members can enjoy instant discounts from their first stay! Book stays and access special offers tailored for SBI guests and SBEC members through the Swiss-Belhotel International App – available in and . Stay connected with us on , , , and for the latest updates and exclusive benefits. Visit for more information.

*Numbers may fluctuate

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Eight Months of Care: Olymptrade Supports Elderly Communities

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21/04/2026

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JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 April 2026 – Over the past eight months, Olymptrade, in partnership with the YUM Community Center, has supported elderly residents in local communities through a series of regular initiatives focused on everyday needs and health support.

From September 2025 to April 2026, the program combined consistent distributions with practical assistance. During this time, more than 1,700 food boxes were delivered, helping ensure access to essential nutrition for elderly residents.

The initiative also included healthcare support. Around 300 people received vision checks, with 152 of them receiving eyeglasses based on the results. In addition, approximately 300 people received medicines each month, supporting the management of common health conditions.

Additional assistance included the distribution of first aid kits, hygiene kits, and prepared meals, helping cover both daily needs and immediate care.

Members of the Olymptrade community also took part in the initiative, joining two distribution days to help with the process and spend time with elderly residents.

The eight-month program marks an important milestone in the partnership, but not its conclusion. Olymptrade plans to continue supporting local communities through similar initiatives, guided by a simple principle: Care that counts.

Hashtag: #Olymptrade

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Paymentology and Change Financial join forces to fast-track next-generation payments in Australia

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9 hours ago

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21/04/2026

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 April 2026 – Paymentology, the leading global issuer-processor, today announced a strategic partnership with Change Financial to accelerate payment method adoption and fintech growth across Australia.

The collaboration combines Paymentology’s cloud-first processing platform with Change Financial’s local BIN sponsorship, regulatory expertise and in-market presence – enabling fintechs, digital banks and programme managers to launch and scale debit, credit and prepaid programmes more efficiently in the Australian market.

Change Financial is a Mastercard Principal Issuer in Australia, providing local scheme connectivity and compliance support. Together with Paymentology’s real-time, multi-cloud processing infrastructure, the partnership creates a streamlined pathway for fintechs looking to enter or expand in the country.

Australia represents one of the world’s most advanced digital payments markets. The national payments market was valued at USD 849.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.35 trillion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.09% between 2026 and 2034. Cards and mobile wallets now sit at the centre of everyday transactions, as digital adoption continues to accelerate. Australians made approximately AUD 160 billion in mobile wallet payments in the past year alone, with billions of transactions recorded annually, highlighting strong demand for digital-first, contactless and mobile-enabled payment experiences.

Minh Ha Truong, Head of Growth Asia Pacific at Paymentology commented: “Australia is one of the most sophisticated payments ecosystems globally, with strong consumer adoption of digital, contactless and mobile-first experiences. By partnering with Change Financial, we’re combining next-generation issuing infrastructure with trusted local BIN sponsorship and expertise, unlocking faster payment method adoption for fintechs and helping them scale confidently in the Australian market.”

Change Financial brings deep experience supporting fintechs and financial institutions through local sponsorship, scheme relationships and programme enablement.

Jennifer Mateer, Chief Commercial Officer at Change Financial added: “We collaborate closely with fintechs and programme managers every day to launch innovative payment solutions with speed and confidence. Our partnership with Paymentology combines our local market expertise with global-scale issuing infrastructure, enabling innovators to accelerate time to market and deliver compelling card payment experiences to Australian consumers and businesses.”

Hashtag: #Paymentology #Fintech

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Paymentology

Paymentology is the leading next-generation issuer processor, empowering fintechs, digital banks and retail banks to effortlessly launch and manage innovative payment solutions on a global scale. The company drives greater customer choice and value through easy-to-use, integrated platforms and services that help clients to disrupt the status quo, accelerate time to market, and achieve growth.

With a superior multi-cloud platform offering a vast global footprint, and enhanced real-time data, Paymentology distinguishes itself as a leader in the payments industry. Its team of payments experts, with deep local market knowledge, operates across 50 countries and 14 time zones, providing 24/7 support. Paymentology is deeply committed to expanding financial inclusion globally, changing lives and positively impacting the communities in which it operates.

For more information, visit .

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