Latest news with #Choy


The Province
2 hours ago
- The Province
'Doing something she loved': Fundraiser launched for cyclist killed at Okanagan Granfondo
Ava Choy has been identified as the rider who was hit by a vehicle and killed during the large community cycling event Ava Choy in a photo from GoFundMe. She died in a cycling accident during the Okanagan Granfondo in Penticton on July 12, 2025. Ava Choy was 'doing something she loved — riding her bike amongst a community of cyclists who shared her passion' — when she was tragically hit and killed during the Okanagan GranFondo earlier this month. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Friends and family are remembering Choy's 'fire dragon' energy as they reach out for help with funeral expenses after her sudden death. Amanda Coutts, on behalf of the family, identified Choy as the victim of a fatal collision with a vehicle during the July 13 community ride through Penticton. Two other riders were sent to hospital with serious injuries. GranFondo executive director Jodi Cross referred questions about the crash to police but said the other two riders have been released from hospital and are recovering. Cross also confirmed that the driver involved wasn't a worker, volunteer or anyone involved in the cycling event. An obituary said Choy grew up in east Vancouver and has a degree from Simon Fraser University. It described her as a passionate fitness enthusiast including competing at the international level in kung fu from an early age. It said she and her brother, Dickson Choy, were members of a local cycling club. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ava Choy was an avid fitness enthusiast with a deep connection to Hawaii, according to her family. Photo by GoFundMe Choy had worked with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services since 2015, after working as a lifeguard and swimming instructor with the City of Vancouver, and was an avid volunteer including serving as a crossing guard. Along with Dickson, she is survived by parents Tim and Monica Choy. On the GoFundMe page, Coutts said Choy 'had a deep love for being physically active, a soul drawn to the beauty and peace of Hawaii, and a heart committed to helping others through countless hours of volunteering.' 'Her determination, energy, and generosity touched so many lives. Ava was small in stature, but mighty in spirit. She was a 'fire dragon' through and through.' Coutts said all funds raised will go to Choy's family for funeral arrangements and associated expenses: 'Losing someone so suddenly not only brings emotional pain, but financial strain as we navigate this heartbreaking chapter.' Choy's obituary said a visitation open to all has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, 1835 East Hastings St., in Vancouver. The family funeral will be private, though a celebration of Choy's life may be held in future. Penticton RCMP Const. Kelly Brett said police aren't releasing any information about the crash while it remains under investigation. jruttle@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Columnists News Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks


Vancouver Sun
9 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
'Doing something she loved': Fundraiser launched for cyclist killed at Okanagan Granfondo
Ava Choy was 'doing something she loved — riding her bike amongst a community of cyclists who shared her passion' — when she was tragically hit and killed during the Okanagan Granfondo earlier this month. Friends and family are remembering Choy's 'fire dragon' energy as they reach out for help with funeral expenses after her sudden death. Amanda Coutts, on behalf of the family, identified Choy as the victim of a fatal collision with a vehicle during the July 13 community ride through Penticton. Two other riders were sent to hospital with serious injuries. Granfondo executive director Jodi Cross referred questions about the crash to police, but said the other two riders have been released from hospital and are recovering. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Cross also confirmed the driver involved was not a worker, volunteer or anyone involved in the cycling event. An obituary said Choy grew up in east Vancouver and has a degree from Simon Fraser University. It described her as a passionate fitness enthusiast including competing at the international level in kung fu from an early age. It said she and her brother, Dickson Choy, were members of a local cycling club. Choy had worked with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services since 2015, after working as a lifeguard and swimming instructor with the City of Vancouver, and was an avid volunteer including serving as a crossing guard. Along with Dickson, she is survived by parents Tim and Monica Choy. On the GoFundMe page, Coutts said Choy 'had a deep love for being physically active, a soul drawn to the beauty and peace of Hawaii, and a heart committed to helping others through countless hours of volunteering. 'Her determination, energy, and generosity touched so many lives. Ava was small in stature, but mighty in spirit. She was a 'fire dragon' through and through.' Coutts said all funds raised will go to Choy's family for funeral arrangements and associated expenses. 'Losing someone so suddenly not only brings emotional pain, but financial strain as we navigate this heartbreaking chapter.' Choy's obituary said a visitation open to all has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, 1835 East Hastings St. in Vancouver. The family funeral will be private, though a celebration of Choy's life may be held in future. Penticton RCMP Const. Kelly Brett said police are not releasing any information about the crash while it remains under investigation. jruttle@

Straits Times
10 hours ago
- General
- Straits Times
Financial and social help for low-income families in Singapore
Family coaches play a vital role in helping lower-income households in Singapore build stable futures, connecting them to various assistance schemes as they work through employment and housing challenges Listening, understanding and providing emotional support are the first steps to empowering families to take charge of their own journey, says family coach Angel Choy. When life gets overwhelming due to illness, debt or the daily grind of survival, it is easy to lose sight of the road ahead. After a cancer diagnosis forced Sarah (not her real name) to stop working in 2023, her elder daughter, then 24, dropped out of school to earn an income and keep the family afloat. Even then, the single mother had turned down help. 'She wanted her family to rely on themselves,' recalls family coach Angel Choy. 'But I told her that accepting support doesn't mean that you're taking advantage of the available schemes. It's to help tide her family over the difficult time, so that they can get back on their feet when she is healthier.' As a family coach with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) , Ms Choy, 49, works with various agencies to help lower-income families move towards stability, self-reliance and social mobility. She has seen firsthand how timely support, paired with encouragement and a shift in mindset, can help these families find the confidence to regain their footing. With Ms Choy's quiet persistence and reassurance, Sarah eventually accepted help through MSF's ComLink+ programme , a decision that marked a turning point for her family. Now in remission from cancer, Sarah, 51, is back at work, pursuing a career in retail. Her elder daughter, who is a desktop engineer, turned 26 this year. Her younger daughter, a second-year student at the Institute of Technical Education, is volunteering with a social service agency that supports youth well-being. The family, currently residing in a public rental flat, is working towards greater financial stability and eventually owning a place of their own. Empowering families, one step at a time Under ComLink+, eligible lower-income families with children are paired with a dedicated family coach. Together, they work towards goals in areas like employment, education, caregiving and housing. Family coaches identify and then connect families with various support initiatives through different agencies. These include non-profit organisations such as KidSTART Singapore as well as other programmes to ensure families receive all-rounded support. Many families deal with overlapping challenges, which lead to other hurdles. Financial difficulties, Ms Choy pointed out, are often just the tip of the iceberg. They may also face health issues and struggle with caregiving, among other stressors that pile up over time. 'Financial constraints are also a sign that there may be more barriers and obstacles coming their way,' she says. For instance, mismatched qualifications or having caregiving responsibilities often limit job options to gig or part-time work without Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions, leaving them with little savings or long-term retirement security. Some are single parents working long hours to make ends meet. They find it difficult to supervise their children after school or care for elderly family members' medical needs. 'It's important for us as family coaches to ensure that all their basic needs are first met before we try to tackle the bigger issues,' said Ms Choy. 'For example, some parents struggle to put food on the table, so that is the first thing we tackle. We support the child's well-being before we look into other issues like employment or the child's schoolwork.' Understanding these complex, layered challenges starts with providing emotional support and a non-judgmental listening ear to families. 'In Sarah's case, she realised that I was there to listen; not judge her or tell her what to do, but instead to work with her towards what's needed (for her family) at that point,' Ms Choy says. She is clear about her role: It 'isn't to do everything' for the families she supports, but to help them recognise their strengths and ability to take charge of their lives. 'We want to empower them to take steps to help themselves,' she explains. 'When their mindset shifts from negative to positive, you help them see possibilities – and that's when they realise they are stronger than they think and start doing more for themselves and their families.' Ms Choy switched careers just over a year ago to become a family coach, and she has already seen families go from barely surviving to excitedly discussing and planning for their future. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT Another family whom Ms Choy supported had wanted to apply for a Build-to-Order (BTO) flat, but the sole breadwinner, a mother-of-four, withdrew the application after discovering a shortfall in her CPF savings. With Ms Choy's support, the family of four was placed on ComCare assistance to help with household expenses. The mother was enrolled in the ComLink+ Progress Package for employment, which provided her with cash and CPF top-ups after she secured a stable job on her own and remained employed. Ms Choy recalled the woman's determination to clear her debts and set aside savings for her first home after learning about the ComLink+ Progress Package for home ownership. Under this scheme, every dollar that families voluntarily contribute to their CPF is matched with an additional $2 in CPF top-ups. Today, she is making steady progress towards owning a home and achieving financial stability. 'That's a positive sign – when they talk about their next steps,' she says. Supporting the next generation Many parents Ms Choy works with are also worried about not being able to give their children a good start in life. For those with young children, she would refer them to KidSTART Singapore . The organisation supports lower-income families with children up to age six. It equips parents with tools and knowledge to support their children's development through regular check-ins, home visits and community-led initiatives that promote positive parent-child interaction. Parents are encouraged to enrol their children in preschool , especially if they are unsure of how to support their child's development at home, says Ms Choy. Older children receive support too. Ms Choy has connected families with various community initiatives designed for their school-going children. For instance, programmes like Homework Cafe partner with both SG Cares Volunteer Centre and Punggol West Constituency Office to provide safe, supportive spaces for students to receive academic support. Another programme, Joyful Learning, run in collaboration with EtonHouse Community Fund Limited, Punggol Shore Constituency Office and SunCare SG, offers activities such as singing and storytelling to support children's early learning and confidence. Working with fellow family coaches, Ms Choy helps tailor support strategies that address the specific needs and challenges of each family. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT Ms Choy recalls supporting a mother who welcomed a new baby 10 years after the birth of her older child. Through KidSTART Singapore, the mother received guidance on early child development, while Ms Choy assisted in securing an infant care placement for her baby. It was heartening to observe the mother's optimism and can-do mindset in caring for her baby, Ms Choy says. 'The mum told me, 'I sing to my baby, I talk a lot to my baby about what I did today.'' With the added support and the mother's growing confidence, the child is developing well. '[The] baby now goes to infant care every day. She's very healthy, a little chubby – and so cute,' says Ms Choy, beaming into a wide smile. Stories like these remind her that a mindset shift can be uplifting for families. 'It is very rewarding when you see families break through these barriers, one by one, and start recognising their own capacity for all these changes,' she says. To families who are currently struggling, Ms Choy has this message: 'Things can get better. Don't give up. You are not alone – the government and the community are here to walk alongside you. Keep moving forward, and you'll start to see the difference.'

Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Grasshopper singer Remus Choy returns to stage for first time since brain surgery
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Grasshopper, which comprise Calvin Choy, Edmond So and Remus Choy, were the guest performers at singer Kelly Chen's concert on July 27. (From left) Calvin Choy, Chen, Remus Choy and So. Singer Remus Choy of Hong Kong pop group Grasshopper has returned to the stage on July 27, performing for the first time since his brain surgery in October 2024. Grasshopper were the guest performers at Hong Kong singer Kelly Chen's concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum. The Cantopop trio comprise Choy, 58, his brother Calvin Choy, 60, and Edmond So, 59. They last performed together in Foshan, China, in August 2024. The Grasshopper members and Chen, who all dressed in white, performed the fast-paced songs Beat The Heat Wou Bom Ba (1993) and Open The Sky (1995) on July 27. Calvin Choy looked to be in great shape as he sang and danced on stage. Chen's concert was the final night of her 10-show Season 2 Live In Hong Kong 2025 concert series. The show was originally scheduled to be held on July 20, but it was postponed by a week due to Typhoon Wipha. Choy said on stage that Chen, 52, was the first person to message him after he dropped a bombshell in October 2024, when he disclosed on social media that he had gone for an operation to remove a brain tumour. His post then was accompanied by two photos: a selfie of himself with a shaved head and a close-up shot of the long surgery scar on his scalp. 'Kelly said she was very worried about me and the large scar on my head broke her heart,' Choy said. 'She hoped I would recover soon and cheered me on, even complimenting me on how good I looked with a bald head.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore Online platforms have halved time it takes for Singaporeans to be self-radicalised: ISD Singapore 3 taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Singapore ICA inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from 6 foreign men in exchange for his help Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail Life Alone but not lonely: Tips from seniors who live solo and like it Asia Extreme weather turns Beijing into rain trap; 30 killed, over 80,000 evacuated Singapore ST Podcasts Live: Share your ideas at The Fashion Pulpit on how to cope with rising temperatures Choy said Grasshopper have watched Chen's career progress since her debut in 1995. He added that their last collaboration was about 10 years ago, when she was a guest performer at Grasshopper's concert. The Cantopop trio also performed their new song, Lou Dik Lat (which means Old Is Spicy in Cantonese), at Chen's concert. Choy also took the opportunity to announce that they would be holding a concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum in April 2026, and would invite Chen to be their guest performer. Choy has been charting his recovery on social media since his surgery. He has shared videos of himself working out in the gym in recent months. He posted on July 22 a photo of himself in the recording studio, writing that a new song was coming soon.


Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
RBC Capital Remains a Buy on Pembina Pipeline (PBA)
In a report released on July 24, Maurice Choy from RBC Capital maintained a Buy rating on Pembina Pipeline, with a price target of C$62.00. The company's shares closed yesterday at $36.77. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. According to TipRanks, Choy is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 10.7% and a 67.36% success rate. Choy covers the Utilities sector, focusing on stocks such as Brookfield Infrastructure, ATCO Ltd Cl I NV, and Hydro One. In addition to RBC Capital, Pembina Pipeline also received a Buy from CIBC's Robert Catellier in a report issued yesterday. However, on July 22, Jefferies downgraded Pembina Pipeline (NYSE: PBA) to a Hold. The company has a one-year high of $43.44 and a one-year low of $34.13. Currently, Pembina Pipeline has an average volume of 1.29M. Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 30 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is positive on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders buying their shares of PBA in relation to earlier this year.