1,500 Xaverians took part in the annual St Xavier Run

Some 1,500 Xaverians took part in the annual St Xavier ‘s Institution (SXI) Run in Farquhar Street, George Town, to raise money for the school today.

Besides the charity SXI Run, a Canteen Day was also held at the school premises to celebrate the school’s 170th anniversary.

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow flagged off the three categories of the run.

Chow praised the school’s many old boys and girls for stepping forward to help their alma mater to give back to St Xavier’s.

“This is the community spirit we are looking for in our schools, and I am happy St Xavier’s is taking the lead in showing the way.

“Besides concern for the poor, having an event like the Charity Drive would also teach an inclusive community amongst the students in this school. Such values will stay on with them when they step into the real working world.

“And today, they are the Xaverian alumni in the industry from Motorola Solutions Malaysia (500 participants) and Jabil Penang (100 participants) who are back in the school with us this morning. Well done to all of you!

“I hope more industries in Penang will come forward to celebrate with your old schools so that students in schools will know that our much beloved Penang is an advance and vibrant place not only for study but a workplace as well.

Chow said concern for the poor and social justice are among the five core Lasallian principles, and the SXI Run clearly defined the principles practised by the Xaverian family.

The tradition, he said, has been carried out for the past 70 years by SXI. It started, in the beginning, to help raise funds for the needy, such as the Little Sisters of the Poor. It is an annual Charity Drive event to help poor NGOs and assist needy students.

Ow Yang Jin Kuang and Yee Pei Yi won the Men’s Open and Women’s Open, respectively. Bernd Echmann took the Men’s Veteran title (37:44.0), and Jeremy Tan emerged as the SXI Charity Run winner.

Read more at Buletin Mutiara