SINGAPORE, 19 September 2026 – SPD and Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) brought communities together for the SparkAbility 2026: A Walk for Change at The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, this morning. Combining the SPD Ability Walk and SOS’s Spark the Change Fest for the first time, this charity walk united 4,000 participants and raised over $780,000, in a shared commitment to inclusion, suicide prevention, resilience and care.
The event was graced by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, and featured the Museum of Hope, an exhibition of personal artefacts shared by SPD and SOS beneficiaries. From a pair of big, bulky hearing aids and a worn-out wheelchair tyre to a 2,615-piece Lego set of Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers painting, kept through moments of deep crisis, each object carried a lived story of endurance and a reminder that timely support, belonging and community connection can help people move from isolation towards hope.
The exhibition underscored the shared realities that brought SPD and SOS together. Persons with disabilities may encounter physical, social and attitudinal barriers that limit participation and deepen isolation, while individuals experiencing suicide ideation or emotional distress may struggle silently when they lack a supportive community to turn to. Though distinct, both journeys can be marked by stigma and misunderstanding – reinforcing the need for strong, inclusive communities where people are seen, heard and supported before distress escalates into crisis.
“SparkAbility is a powerful reminder that inclusion grows when people feel they belong. For persons with disabilities, the barriers they face are not only physical, but also social and emotional. By walking alongside SOS and the wider community, we hope to show that everyone has a part to play in reducing isolation, building understanding, and creating spaces where persons with disabilities are supported to live with dignity and purpose,” said Ms Ong Toon Hui, Chairman, SPD.
Mr Roel Faes, Chairman, SOS, added: “Suicide prevention does not begin only at the point of crisis. It starts much earlier – in the everyday moments when people feel seen, heard, and connected. SparkAbility brings this message to life by showing how communities can come together across different experiences to offer care, hope and support. Our partnership with SPD reflects a shared belief that no one should have to walk through distress alone.”
Sandy* found that losing her friend to suicide was grief unlike any she had experienced before. With few photographs to hold on to, 37-year-old Sandy* found another way to honour her friend: she carefully built a 2,615-piece LEGO set of Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, which supported her through one of the darkest seasons of her life. Through counselling with SOS, she learned that grief is not always a linear journey and that it is possible to find moments of hope and healing even when difficult emotions resurface.
Growing up hard of hearing, 38-year-old Mr Winston Wong, often faced bullying and teasing simply for wearing hearing aids. Group activities became exhausting spaces of missed cues and whispered jokes, taking a toll on his mental health and leading to suicide ideation. With the unconditional love of his family and the inspiration he drew from comic-book heroes, Mr Wong gradually embraced his identity as a person with disability and found courage to keep moving forward.
For Mr Kelvin Leong, support from family, friends and colleagues was instrumental in his rehabilitation journey after a stroke at just 33. Their care and encouragement during that difficult time helped him overcome feelings of isolation and uncertainty, giving him the confidence to work towards regaining his independence. After a year undergoing therapy at the SPD Rehabilitation Centre, including learning to drive again, the 48-year-old is now back at working as a real estate agent while running a home-based baking business.
That same belief reflects the message at the heart of SparkAbility 2026 – that a caring and connected community can help reduce isolation, challenge stigma and empower individuals through difficult life experiences.
Funds raised through SparkAbility 2026 will go towards supporting the programmes and services of SPD and SOS, strengthening efforts to build a more inclusive, caring and connected Singapore. SPD and SOS thanked sponsors, partners, volunteers and participants for rallying behind the event, and expressed hope that the partnership marks the start of deeper collaboration across the social service and mental health sectors so that persons with disabilities are included, and individuals in distress are met with care long before crisis.
Simulation activities, a mainstay of the SPD Ability Walk, were also part of the post-event carnival aimed at raising disability awareness and fostering empathy among participants.
*Name has been changed for privacy