UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) has been providing products and services to the Malaysian society, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by contributing and helps to improve the lives of people and communities.
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is striving towards developing a more inclusive and sustainable society and shifting itself toward a ‘mobility company’. In conjunction with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, TMC also began their ‘Start Your Impossible’ campaign, a long-term campaign that encourages everyone to ‘challenge their impossible’ and being a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner for the 2020 Olympics in Japan is just one example of this commitment.
In support to TMC’s goals, UMWT has also realigned its CSR initiatives this year by creating the ‘Start Your Impossible’ platform with two elements – the Toyota Classics musical charity event, and the Toyota Outrun, a new charity fun run event.
“UMW Toyota Motor is very pleased to be able to support physically challenged people who wish to participate in sports. This is in line with Toyota Motor Corporation’s substantial support for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as its first ever mobility partner,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.
Under the ‘Start Your Impossible’ banner, UMWT introduced a DUAL HEROES CONCEPT which describes a local athlete who is constantly fighting against dual odds - on the field, and in life. Through this concept, the company has chosen Abdul Latif Romly, Malaysia’s first Paralympian named as Sportsman of the Year in 2016 as its SYI Ambassador.
Latif was selected to become Malaysia’s SYI Ambassador as he was up against the impossible at the 2016 Summer Paralympics who broke the T20 long jump world record 3 times on the same day. It was his ability to overcome not just sporting challenges but also influence social change through his life journey.
To kick off the new initiative, UMWT organized their very first Toyota Outrun at Bandar Rimbayu, Kota Kemuning, Selangor, to raise funds for the Paralympic Council of Malaysia. The funds, totalling RM151,100 were derived from the participants registration.
Over 3,000 participants turned up for the 8-km run around the Bandar Rimbayu township including around 20 people with multiple disabilities who demonstrated their own determination to ‘Start Your Impossible’.
“We thank all the participants for joining us at this Toyota Outrun today and contributing towards a good cause. The fund collected should be useful for the Paralympic Council of Malaysia in its activities and we will certainly be looking at how we can offer more support in future,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.
Thanking UMWT for the contribution, YBhg Dato’ Subramaniam Raman, Vice President of Paralympic Council of Malaysia, said that the Council will utilize the funds for its “Fitness & Exercise with Person with Disabilities” program to train the trainers so that they are well equipped to guide disabled persons who have sports potential.