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›React Recycle Donated to Timor Leste

08/09/2009

React Recycle Donated to Timor Leste

SINGAPORE (8 September 2009) The React Recycle campaign by Polar Singapore from May – June 2009 has been a roaring success. Among the many sports watches collected, thirty-one watches were tested to be in good working condition. Polar had the batteries of the watches changed and through the kind ladies from The Chain Reaction Project, all thirty-one sports watches were donated to the needy in Timor Leste in late August 2009.



The objective of the React Recycle campaign was to encourage sports enthusiast to trade-in their used sports watches for a good cause. In return, Polar offers 15% discount on new models purchased.



The campaign was initiated in conjunction with Polar’s global environmental commitment. Polar emphasizes on developing materials and engaging in production processes that reduces scrap and waste. Recycling of materials has always played a key role in Polar’s production process.  



“At Polar, we pay attention to environmental aspects and impacts of our product’s life cycle.” said Adrian Mok, General Manager of Polar Electro Singapore. “The introduction of the React Recycle campaign is to encourage customers of Polar to place a role in our environmental commitment.” He was encouraged by the enthusiasm of the customers as they contributed their used sports watches for somebody whom may need it more than they do.



Started off as a team of girls seeking to challenge the race of mountain biking 450km across 9 of Timor Leste’s 13 districts, The Chain Reaction Project (TCRP) has since evolved into a fund raising project. Their vision was to use the inaugural Tour de Timor as a platform to raise awareness of the plight of this fledgling state and to raise funds for an anti-poverty project in East Timor.



Co-founder of TCRP, Anina Boshoff gladly accepts Polar’s initiative to donate the sports watches to the Timorese volunteering at HIAM Health, a malnutrition rehabilitation centre in the country’s capital Dili. HIAM Health aims to fight the high rate of infant mortality in East Timor through practical care for malnourished infants coupled with education for their parents.



"We were struck by the enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers and when we realised that not a single staff member owned a wrist watch, we knew we had found worthy beneficiaries of the sports watches donated by Polar".



Twelve volunteers received sports watches in a short ceremony at the centre after which TCRP member Alexandra Toh patiently taught all the grateful recipients how to set the watches, use the stop watches and set alarms. At least 18 more watches will be given to Timorese that volunteer at the centre over the next couple of months.



According to the team, the director of the centre, Rosaria Martins da Cruz was delighted to be able to reward the core team of volunteers with sports watches. The watches will not only help run the centre efficiently, but it is also a fantastic reward for all the volunteers in a country where a watch is a treasured possession."



The Tour De Timor, an initiative by Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Hota, had more than 250 participants from all over the world competing together from 24 – 28 August 2009. They covered 13 districts, spending four nights with the native villages. Polar is proud to be a sponsor to The Chain Reaction Project.

About Polar

Polar has been pioneering a revolution in training and leading the heart rate monitoring category with original thinking and innovative products. With over 30 years of experience Polar is the global leader in providing training technology and solutions with true passion and personality for those who seek fitness and sports performance. For more information please visit www.polarelectro.com.sg.