This year marks the tenth time ORBIS and Merrill Lynch have joined forces in hosting the annual ORBIS-Merrill Lynch Walk for Sight. Held at Tai Tam Country Park and Hong Kong International School, this year's walk attracted a record 4,400 participants. Among those who raised around HK$2.83 million for sight-saving initiatives in China were two ORBIS Sight Stars, leading young artists, William Chan and Vincy.

To support the event and the fight against preventable blindness, walkers put their best foot forward in a 5km stroll, a more rigorous 12km walk or the challenging 13km hike for more experienced attendees.

Over the years, Merrill Lynch and its staff have been among ORBIS's most dedicated supporters. At today's opening ceremony, Mr. Rob Stewart, Merrill Lynch Head of Marketing and Communications, Asia Pacific Region, presented ORBIS with a giant cheque on behalf of the firm and its employees for HK$522,478. "As the Walk for Sight's Primary Sponsor, Merrill Lynch employees are proud to have helped raised over HK$14.8 million for ORBIS since 2000. Together, we continue to strive to ensure that thousands of blind people in China will soon see their dreams come true." said Mr. Stewart.

Ms. Mary Lau, ORBIS Hong Kong director of development said, "We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Merrill Lynch and our other sponsors and participants for their valuable support over the past decade. The fact that participant numbers have reached a new high during the current economic downturn underlines the compassion exhibited by Hong Kong people. Thank you all for never forgetting those whose situation is unimaginably worse than ours. ORBIS will continue to repay your trust by using your donations to fund sight-saving programs that will transform the lives of millions of unnecessarily blind people worldwide."  

After leading all 4,400 participants in a pre-walk warm up, William Chan said," I simply cannot imagine how terrible it would be to lose one's sight. Please enable us to help the millions worldwide with no access to quality eye care."  Said Vincy, gratefully, "I am deeply touched by the kindness and energy of everyone who have shown up to support ORBIS today."

Before the Walk's start, the two Sight Stars joined various VIP guests on stage to place colorful "walkers" symbolizing all members of society who support ORBIS in saving the sight of China's blind. Following the opening ceremony, the VIP guests and Hong Kong Heilan Pipes and Drums joined all 4,400 participants in taking their first of many steps on behalf of China's blind.

For more information on ORBIS, please visit: www.orbis.org.hk
For more information on Merrill Lynch, please visit: www.ml.com

Over 4,000 participants joined the tenth ORBIS-Merrill Lynch Walk for Sight.	Young artists, Vincy (left) and William, supports ORBIS's sight-saving initiatives in China.
Mr. Rob Stewart (left), Merrill Lynch Head of Marketing and Communications, Asia Pacific Region, presents a giant cheque to Ms. Mary Lau, ORBIS Hong Kong director of development.	Two ORBIS Sight Stars join various VIP guests in urging all members of society to support ORBIS in saving the sight of China’s blind.
Vincy, William and Hong Kong Heilan Pipes and Drums joins 4,400 participants in taking their first of many steps to help the blind people in China.	William and Vincy leads over 4,000 participants to start the walk.

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For enquiries, please contact ORBIS Communications Department:
Vikki Leung   Tel: 2508 7029  Email: vikki.leung@orbis.org
Kara Szeto    Tel: 2508 7068  Email: kara.szeto@orbis.org