Swire pledges HK$15.5 million to help the Hong Kong community fight virus

TrustTomorrow supports vulnerable groups with essential needs HK$48 million donated since the onset of the pandemic

The Swire Group Charitable Trust ("Swire Trust") has pledged HK$15.5 million through its TrustTomorrow initiative to help vulnerable groups get through these challenging times, as the fifth wave of the pandemic spreads across Hong Kong. This amount is in addition to previous funding commitments from the Swire Trust, with donations towards combatting COVID-19 now totalling over HK$48 million.

The latest TrustTomorrow programmes, to be rolled out in March, will fund relief packages worth HK$15.5 million for people most in need. The initiative aims to provide essential services that vulnerable groups have been unable to access due to the pandemic, helping them retain a level of well-being in these difficult times. The programmes include:

1. A donation of HK$9 million to support over 30 NGO members of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service in providing essential services to vulnerable groups.
2. A donation of HK$3.5 million to fund social enterprise partners Gingko House and Holy Cafe to provide hot meal boxes, to Feeding Hong Kong to provide non-perishable staple food boxes, and to Hong Kong Dignity Institute to provide food and sanitary supplies to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, street cleaners and refugees.
3. An additional HK$2 million pledged to TrustTomorrow's "Building Community, Building Tung Chung" project with NGO partners, including Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Tung Chung Integrated Services, The Neighbourhood Action-Advice Council, and The Zubin Foundation, to provide much-needed essential and educational support to disadvantaged groups in Tung Chung supported by the Swire Trust - including the elderly, children and youth.
4. A top-up of HK$1 million to increase support for TrustTomorrow partner Christian Concern for the Homeless Association, to help meet the physical and psychosocial needs of people living in substandard housing conditions.

"The impact of the fifth wave of COVID-19 on the Hong Kong community is unprecedented. We are committed to supporting vulnerable groups who are hardest hit by the strict social distancing measures, suspension of services and unemployment. We hope to build their resilience in combating the virus through supporting their essential needs and general well-being," said Tina Chan, Group Head of Philanthropy, John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited.

Recognising the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of all Hong Kong people, the Swire Group has leveraged its TrustTomorrow initiative to respond rapidly in allocating resources to address the community's most urgent needs. TrustTomorrow's COVID-19 response initiatives have so far reached over 319,000 people in Hong Kong, providing food and sanitation supplies, enhancing digital accessibility to NGO services, building social capital, and supporting those living in substandard housing conditions.

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About the Swire Group Charitable Trust
Established in 1983, the Swire Group Charitable Trust (Swire Trust) is a Hong Kong charity registered under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Its aim is to effect positive change in the areas of Education, Marine Conservation and the Arts by supporting registered non-profit organisations primarily in Hong Kong. Swire Trust is overseen by the Philanthropy Council, which is chaired by a member of senior management. In March 2021, Swire launched a HK$150 million funding TrustTomorrow initiative under Swire Trust to fund over 30 inspirational projects which aim at bringing lasting benefits and positive changes to the community in the areas of Education, Marine Conservation and the Arts, the three focus areas that correlate with Swire Trust's vision.

About Swire Group
A highly-diversified and global corporation, the Swire Group's businesses encompass property, aviation, beverages and food chain, as well as marine services and trading & industrial activities. Its core businesses are mainly focused in Asia, with its key operations in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Within Asia, Swire's activities come under the Group's publicly quoted arm, Swire Pacific Limited (HKSE: 00019/00087), which is the largest shareholder in two Hong Kong listed companies: Swire Properties and Cathay Pacific Airways.
www.swire.com