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FULFILLING the wishes of the needy and the efforts of a doctor-scientist in research have helped Singapore to bag two Asean awards. The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore and Dr Tan Min-Han were among those honoured for outstanding contributions by a young person or a youth organization with their efforts to their community. Both were previously winners of the Singapore Youth Award (SYA) – with Dr Tan honoured in 2008, and the Boys’ Brigade an SYA team award winner in 2004. But this year’s Asean award recognition is a first for them.
Mr Desmond Koh, 38, executive director of the Boys’ Brigade in Singapore, said its award was also for “unsung heroes” – the organising committee of its annual charity project, the boys and officers, ponsors and supporters. He said: “This recognition is a clear signal that their contributions and sacrifices of time and resources make a difference and will encourage all of us to press on.” The Boys’ Brigade, which runs an annual project to fulfil Christmas wishes of the needy, received the Ten Accomplished Youth Organisations Asean Award.
Dr Tan, 38, who had won other awards previously for cancer research and excellent service in patient care, acknowledged the support of his family and colleagues for his Asean Youth Award win. The consultant medical oncologist at the National Cancer Centre Singapore also thanked philanthropic organizations which had supported his research, and added that the award “reminds me of the commitment I have made to patients and to science”.
Nominations from Singapore for the Asean awards were made by the National Youth Council, which presents the annual SYA. Past Asean Youth Award winners from Singapore include social activist Melissa Kwee and former Nominated Member of Parliament Eunice Olsen.
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