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Guy Haydon

One of Hong Kong’s major philanthropic-focused conglomerates has donated HK$200,000 (US$25,700) to a local Christmas charity drive this year.
John Swire and Sons (Hong Kong), the holding company for publicly listed conglomerate Swire Pacific, also donated the same amount to Operation Santa Claus (OSC) in 2023.
It has supported the annual fundraising initiative, which is jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK, since 1995.
“Swire has been part of the Hong Kong community for over 150 years, and we are committed to serving this city that, in turn, has helped us thrive,” said James Tong, the holding company’s director of group public affairs.
“Giving back is in Swire’s DNA, which is why we are delighted to continue supporting Operation Santa Claus to encourage the spirit of giving love and care to the people around us.”
He said this year’s OSC tagline, “#EveryoneCanBeASantaClaus”, was very meaningful because it encouraged people to embrace the spirit of giving.
“At Swire, we carry out our philanthropic work through the Swire Trust, which connects the dots between NGOs, beneficiaries and community and business partners,” he said.
“Swire Trust and Operation Santa Claus are both long-standing community initiatives. Our initiatives serve as bridges to facilitate the collaboration between NGOs as well as the commercial sector.
“We are also making good use of the commercial sector’s strengths, resources and networks to help promote NGOs’ good causes, amplifying the impact of charity projects.
“We believe in the importance of supporting our community and making positive change. Our staff have diverse professional skills, which can be put to great use in community work.”

This year, Swire Trust’s major philanthropic efforts include the third phase of its ongoing “Building Community, Building Tung Chung” project.
The initiative involves six NGO partners working in the Tung Chung area on Lantau Island’s northwest coast to help children, carers and parents, families and people from ethnic minority groups through activities such as youth career development and social inclusion.
Swire’s mentorship programme, now in its second year, also works to empower disadvantaged Hong Kong youngsters by opening their eyes to the corporate world.
The programme’s mentors, who are drawn from across the Swire Group, all commit their time and effort to nurturing young people.
The Swire Trust-funded Swire Coastal Outreach Hub – developed by the Swire Institute of Marine Science at the University of Hong Kong – opened to the public on October 31 at Cape D’Aguilar Marine Reserve (Hok Tsui), on the southeastern tip of Hong Kong Island.
The hub promotes marine conservation and research, while helping Hongkongers to develop a greater appreciation of the city’s rich marine biodiversity.
Next year will also mark the centenary of the Swire Scholarships programme, which seeks to nurture local talent.

Since its inception, the programme has supported more than 1,000 exceptional individuals pursuing higher education.
In November, Hong Kong hosted the first reunion of Swire Scholars in a decade, which was attended by past and present recipients.
Since 1988, OSC has raised HK$383 million to support the city’s community through 353 charitable projects in areas that help young people, the elderly, and people with disabilities or in mental recovery, in addition to environmental and sustainability causes.
This year’s campaign is donating funds to 11 different projects supporting worthy causes. For more information on the beneficiaries, click here.


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Operation Santa Claus: Hong Kong conglomerate upholds steadfast charity support

James Tong, director of group public affairs at John Swire and Sons (Hong Kong), says giving is in the company’s DNA. Photo: Handout

Operation Santa Claus: Morgan Stanley smashes fundraising record for 4th year

Morgan Stanley’s fundraising efforts this year included a “Director’s Choir”, where employees raised money to encourage top executives to sing. Photo: Wong Kin Fung

Gokul Laroia (centre), Morgan Stanley’s CEO of Asia, has said this year’s OSC tagline, “#EveryoneCanBeASantaClaus”, has resonated strongly with his company. Photo: Wong Kin Fung

Underprivileged students get into festive spirit with cupcake decorations

Twenty students have taken part in a Christmas-themed workshop at Nina Hotel. Photo: Handout

Nina Hospitality managing director Simon Manning (left). Photo: Handout

Photo: SCMP

News

Hong Kong

Society

John Swire and Sons (Hong Kong), Swire Pacific’s holding company, donates HK$200,000 to annual fundraising drive this year


John Swire and Sons (Hong Kong), Swire Pacific’s holding company, donates HK$200,000 to annual fundraising drive this year.


Operation Santa Claus