Malaysian teen with Down syndrome aims to run 84km to raise RM50,000 for charity
Alexander Wilhelm, 15, picked up running as a hobby during the pandemic and since then, the activity has become second nature to him.
To date, he has completed 17 'fun runs', covering distances between 2km and 5km. Now, Alexander, who has Down syndrome, is lacing up his shoes for a greater cause.
Running teaches Alexander important life lessons like perseverance.
In January, he and his father, Bruno Wilhelm, launched Run Alex Run (RAR) – a fundraising initiative in support of the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation National Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The centre holds a special meaning for the family as it was where Alexander received early intervention and support during his formative years.
To encourage his fundraising efforts, Fitness First Malaysia has pledged RM10,000 to the centre if Alexander runs the equivalent of a full marathon distance of 42km by June.
In the last five months, Alexander has already clocked a total of 30km, with another 12km to achieve by next month.
But that's not all. Alexander aims to go beyond that and complete 84km by December, and raise RM50,000 for the foundation. Plans are underway to start a public crowdfunding campaign to help reach this target.
Fostering inclusion
Through RAR, Wilhelm, 52, wants to create awareness, inclusion and hope.
'We want to break the taboo around disability and show that children with Down syndrome are capable of contributing meaningfully to society.
'Traditionally, people see disability as a burden, but Alexander proves otherwise. He is fit, determined and he is running to make a difference,' said Wilhelm, a businessman, in an interview in Kuala Lumpur.
Alexander also bakes breads and muffins to raise funds for different organisations. Photo: Ashley Pang
Wilhelm, a Swiss national who has been living in KL for over two decades, also wants to encourage parents by showing that children with special needs are capable of reaching greater heights.
'Society often assumes that people born with disabilities can't reach the same potential as neurotypical individuals. But we hope the public will start seeing people with different abilities as part of the community, just like anyone else.
'My wife and I also want to create awareness of the importance of inclusion and early intervention programmes. Our goal is to transform our society,' says Wilhelm, who accompanies Alexander on his runs.
The father of two has seen many positive transformations in Alexander since he started running. For example, his coordination and stamina have improved a lot.
Wilhelm says what matters more are his son's self-esteem, and the endurance training he does for each run.
'It is not easy even for a typical youth, what more for a special needs youth like him. Running gives him a goal to achieve. Running teaches him to never give up no matter how difficult it is until one arrives at the final destination. This is a very important life lesson too. He understands this and is using it in his daily life. His motto is 'Better Every Day'.
'Alexander says running helps to keep him fit and he gets to run at different places. The music, warm-up dances, ambience and friendly runners of each race make it fun and special for him.'
To build his stamina, Alex-ander trains at the gym and runs around their neighbourhood in KL.
Wilhelm adds that his son works with a personal trainer to strengthen his endurance, mobility and agility.
'To keep him motivated, I take videos and pictures of him, documenting his whole race. I will then compile it into a video clip for him. He loves it very much. After each run, I'd take him for a nice breakfast.
'Tell me how not to be motivated?' he quips.
Giving back
This isn't the first time Alexander is doing something for charity. During the pandemic, his mother, businesswoman Ashley Pang, 49, started Project Kindness, a pay-it-forward initiative. She set up Alex's Bakery, a home-based effort where Alexander bakes breads and muffins to raise funds for different organisations, including welfare homes, children's hospice, soup kitchens and non-profit schools.
Pang (top) is proud of her son's dedication to the disabled community. Photo: Ashley Pang
Wilhelm said the aim of Project Kindness is to connect people for a common cause. Through this simple project,the family has been able to spread the ripples of kindness, love and hope within the community.
'We completed 38 projects from 2021 to 2024. We are very fortunate to have very kind and supportive patrons. When we were raising funds, we received good responses. When we were collecting pre-loved books and clothes for welfare homes, many dropped off boxes for us.
'We have created a network for a kinder and caring community. This is our mission,' says Wilhelm.
As recognition for his contribution and positive impact to society, Alexander was given the 2024 Tuanku Bainun Young Change-makers Award under the 'individuals aged 13-18 category'.
'This recognition is very important for him and the special needs community,' Wilhelm adds.
Through the Project Kindness initiative, Wilhelm hopes to inspire parents of special needs children by showing that with patience and consistency, children of all abilities can shine in their own unique way.
'Some of them become our family friends and some become our big supporters.
'Our message to them is, 'You are not alone. Let's walk together hand in hand in the journey of creating a better and kinder world'.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Extended hours sidestep real crisis facing nurses'
PETALING JAYA: While the Public Service Department (PSD) decision to delay the 45-hour work week offers nurses a temporary reprieve, many on the frontlines warn that it skirts the real crisis, namely chronic understaffing, burnout and the long-term viability of the profession. In a letter dated May 28, PSD approved the Health Ministry request to defer implementation of the extended hours until Aug 1. The current 42-hour schedule will remain in place until July 31. For many nurses, the move does little to ease the mounting pressure in wards and clinics across the country. An ICU nurse in the private sector, who gave his name only as Ng, said the focus on working hours misses the point entirely. 'Even 42 hours feels like too much when you're constantly on your feet, managing critical cases. This isn't a desk job. We don't have the luxury of zoning out. We're dealing with lives,' he told theSun. He said the public healthcare system is still reeling from the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and staffing remains dangerously thin. 'Understaffing is the root of the problem. I know government nurses earning RM4,000 after 10 years on the job. Eight of my friends have already left for better opportunities overseas.' Ng added that management often focuses on performance targets while ignoring the actual workload nurses face on the ground. 'I've worked 14-hour shifts looking after 16 critically ill patients. What looks manageable on paper rarely reflects the chaos in real life. Nurses and patients aren't statistics.' Kanchana Murthy, 25, echoed the sentiment after more than three years in the field. 'Extending hours is not a solution. Most of us are already running on empty. Yes, we need more manpower but stretching the ones already in place won't fix anything.' She said work tolerance varies by individual and longer shifts should never be mandatory. 'You can't force exhausted people to give their best. It's unsafe for patients and it's unfair to nurses.' A 19-year-old nursing student who has completed placements at a private hospital in the capital city said the workload is overwhelming even for trainees. 'As a student, I'm already burnt out. I work alongside full-time nurses and the pace is relentless. I genuinely worry about how the staff cope,' said the student, who only wanted to be known as Tash. He shared his experience at a government hospital, where overcrowding and staff shortages are common. 'Sometimes, there aren't enough beds. One nurse might be caring for 10 patients. Some wards hold up to 60. It's exhausting and unsafe.' Tash said while the government's intention to address shortages is understandable, the approach risks causing more harm than good. 'Longer hours might help with task completion in the short term, but they lead to fatigue and that leads to mistakes. In healthcare, mistakes cost lives.' He pointed out that countries such as Singapore and the Philippines follow the International Labour Organisation recommendation of a 40-hour work week, which offers nurses better balance and stronger mental health support. 'A 40-hour week helps prevent burnout, keeps staff in the profession longer and makes nursing more appealing to new recruits. What's the point of getting more done in a day if we lose people in the long run?' His message was clear: 'Stop treating nurses like machines. We're overworked, underpaid and undervalued. 'At the end of the day, we're human and we deserve to be treated that way.'
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
Free health checks benefit thousands in Butterworth
Chua (centre) looking on as Wai Kuan undergoes his health check. HAVING drawn over 10,000 visitors to free health tests, the One Hope Charity Health Carnival 2025 in Butterworth, Penang, marked another milestone in early intervention. Organised by non-governmental organisation (NGO) One Hope Charity & Welfare, the weekend event featured 250 booths for 30 types of health screening, tests and treatments. Qualified medical practitioners and specialists attended to visitors to the carnival at the Penang International Convention Cultural & Arts Centre (Picca) Convention Centre. One Hope chairman Datuk Chua Sui Hau said droves of visitors came over the weekend to undergo tests, ranging from basic eye and foot checks to liver and heart examinations. 'This year's edition is the biggest since the health carnival was first organised in 2017, with hospitals and health institutions from various states stepping in to support. 'We had 4,000 blood screenings for cancer markers while 3,000 spectacles were given out. Visitors getting free eye checks during the carnival. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star 'A total of 5,000 flu vaccines were also administered,' he said, adding that organisers anticipated 8,000 visitors but the turnout surpassed this number. He said RM2.7mil had been spent to hold the event. This included about RM850,000 in donations channelled to various hospitals. Among those who made it for a health check was retired Jelutong contractor Ng Wai Kuan, 71, who uses a wheelchair after having lost a leg in an accident about 20 years ago. 'It's always a long queue at public hospitals and also inconvenient for me to undergo various tests at different sessions. 'When I heard about free health tests available here, I hopped onto my bike and took the ferry across to check it out,' he said. Housewife Maimunah Mat Taib had a massage at a traditional Chinese medicine booth. 'This is the first time I'm trying something like this and after a 15-minute session, I felt such relief,' she said. Teenagers Ng Zi Yu and Chong Xin Yi, both of whom recovered from scoliosis, were among volunteers who explained to visitors about the spinal condition, and treatments available. They both received aid from One Hope for their condition and have since recovered. At the carnival's opening, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow shared that high numbers of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension was recorded in the state. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, the prevalence of diabetes in Penang stood at 18.4%, compared to the national average of 15.5%. Hypertension in Penang was recorded at 31.3% (national average 29.2%), while high cholesterol was 34% (national average 33.3%). Chow said these alarming figures should serve as a wake-up call for Penangites to take better care of their health.
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Drug-laced vape liquid, called 'Magic Mushroom', sold to teens from just RM1
KUALA LUMPUR: Illicit vape liquids containing synthetic drugs, including a psychoactive substance known as "Magic Mushroom", are being sold for as little as RM1 per drop, and are fast gaining popularity among school students, TV3's Buletin Utama reported today. A 17-year-old teenager, who identified himself only as Zul, revealed that he became addicted to the substance at age 14, a year after he began vaping at 13. "I tried it because a friend offered it to me in the school toilet," he said. Zul said the drug-laced vape liquid was sold by the drop. "Each drop costs around RM1. A 1ml bottle is priced at RM20, while 2ml can go up to RM30 or RM40, depending on who's selling and how good you are at bargaining," he added. His addiction escalated to the point where, after his mother stopped giving him pocket money, he resorted to stealing to fund his cravings. "When the craving kicks in, there's no such thing as saving money. If you don't have cash, you have to steal. That's the last resort." In a similar case, another teen, Hasiq (not real name), also became addicted due to peer pressure and the easy availability of the substance. Now undergoing treatment at the National Narcotics Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Karangan, Kedah, Hasiq described the devastating effects of the drug. "I tried it at first because it smelled nice. It was just RM10. After that, I felt like my life was stuck on repeat. I would sleep for 24 hours straight. Even when I woke up, I felt half-conscious. Once the effect wore off, I would go out, buy more, come home, and sleep again." Hasiq is among 22 minors currently undergoing treatment at the centre, which has reported a rise in cases involving vape addiction linked to synthetic drugs. Parents of the affected teenagers expressed frustration and anger over how easily the substance is being sold — sometimes even at regular convenience stores. One mother recounted confronting her child about where he had obtained the drug. "I asked my son, and he just said, 'Right here, RM25.' So my husband and I went to the shop he pointed out. It looked like an ordinary store." "I've filed a police report, but checks revealed no illegal items. Still, I went back to the shop myself and saw what was going on. I'm furious. If possible, I want places like this shut down. But no one is taking action. If this continues, more children will fall victim." Authorities have yet to comment on the specific cases, but the growing trend of vape-related drug abuse among Malaysian youths has prompted urgent calls for tighter regulation and proactive enforcement against the sale of illegal vape liquids - particularly those laced with psychoactive substances.
