2.1.1. What is A Very Special Walk (AVSW)?

A Very Special Walk (AVSW) is the signature fundraising event of Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) or ARC(S). Since 2005, it has taken on various forms of activities, ranging from walk, walk + run, concerts, carnivals and even movie treats! AVSW was fully online from 2022 to 2022.

AVSW 2024 kicks off on Saturday, 1 June 2024 with an online challenge and will follow with a carnival on Saturday, 20 July 2024, at Pathlight School Campus 2 (2 Ang Mo Kio Street 44, Singapore 569250), from 4 – 8pm.

2.1.2. What does the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) do?

Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) or ARC(S) is a not-for-profit charity based in Singapore. Started by a group of professionals and parent volunteers, ARC(S) is dedicated to serving children and adults on the autism spectrum through a wide range of services: Early Intervention, Pathlight School, Employability & Employment Centre, ARC Learning Academy, Student Enrichment, Social Leisure Club and our social enterprises, The Art Faculty and Professor Brawn.

2.1.3. How do I participate in A Very Special Walk (AVSW) 2024?

To participate in A Very Special Walk (AVSW) 2024, you may choose to do either or both of the following:

1. Sign up for the online challenge and help ARC(S) raise funds for our programmes and services, anytime between 1 June and 20 July 2024.
2. Join us in the AVSW Carnival on 20 July 2024. You may purchase your carnival coupons on the day of the event itself, or pre-purchase your carnival coupons here. Self-collection options are available during check out.

2.1.4. What is the online challenge?

The online challenge can be any activity a participant embarks on to help raise funds for AVSW. You can challenge yourself to walk or run a certain distance, pick up a new hobby or skill such as cooking, singing or dancing...the list goes on! You may do your challenge individually or in a team.

Participants are encouraged to share their challenges on their preferred social media platforms and tag us @averyspecialwalk on Facebook and @avsw_arc on Instagram. Remember to use our hashtag #AVSW2024. We may feature you on our pages, so stay tuned!

Funds raised through your profile will be updated daily on our online portal!

2.1.5. What is happening on 20 July 2024?

The AVSW Carnival will take place at Pathlight School Campus 2 (2 Ang Mo Kio Street 44, Singapore 569250) on 20 July 2024, from 4 to 8pm. Enjoy an evening of fun and games, delicious treats and more, all while supporting a worthy cause.

Highlights:

• Performances by Pathlight students
• Performance by acapella group The Harvard Din & Tonics
• Signature dishes from Professor Brawn
• Merchandise from The Art Faculty
• Games, prizes and lucky draw!

2.1.6. If I am unable to turn up on 20 July, what will happen to the carnival coupons I have purchased?

It is alright if you are unable to turn up on 20 July. The carnival coupons are transferable so you may wish to pass your carnival coupons to someone who can attend. Please note that no refunds would be available.

2.1.7. If there is no challenge participant whom I would like to support, can I still donate to support the campaign?

Yes, you may donate to support the campaign via this link. Your donation will go towards AVSW.

2.1.8. When is the online donation period?

Online donations will be accepted from 1 June to 31 August 2024.

2.1.9. What are the online donation payment options available?

These are the available payment options:

Credit Cards - Omise is AVSW's authorised payment gateway for donations by credit card. Your donations will be annotated by "OPN*ARC-AVSW" in your credit card statements.

PayNow - Omise is AVSW's authorised payment processor for donations by PayNow. Please note that the name of the recipient that will appear in your bank statement is "Omise Payment SG Pte Ltd".

2.1.10. Are there any other means of donation if I do not wish to donate online?

Yes, you may also make a cheque donation to AVSW.

Please make your cheque payable to "AVSW" or "A Very Special Walk" indicating on the back your name/company, NRIC/FIN/UEN* and email or home address. Please mail the cheque to Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) – AVSW, 5 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Singapore 569739.

* Donations of $10 and above are eligible for a 250% tax deduction of the amount you donated. Please provide your full name (as in NRIC/FIN) or company name and NRIC/FIN/UEN number for auto-inclusion in your tax assessment.

2.1.11. Will there be any tax deduction for my donations?

Yes, there will be a 250% tax deduction for donations of S$10 and above. A note of acknowledgement will be sent to you if you provide your full name (as in NRIC/FIN) or company name and NRIC/FIN/UEN number, along with your email or home address.

This will be submitted to IRAS in January 2025 and automatically included in your tax assessment. No further action is required on your end.

2.2.1. When is the online challenge registration period?

Registration is open from 1 June to 20 July 2024.

2.2.2. When is the challenge period?

Participants should complete their challenge during the challenge period from 1 June to 20 July 2024.

2.2.3. Can anyone participate?

Yes, participants of all ages are welcome to register for AVSW 2024. However, participants under the age of 18 years old are required to obtain consent from their parents/guardians before registering for the campaign. They must also agree to the declaration stated on the registration page.

2.2.4. How would the donations that I raise be utilised?

All donations raised will go towards Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) programmes to empower our beneficiaries to lead meaningful and independent lives. As we journey with the children we serve into adulthood, we are building our services to meet their growing needs in employment, lifelong learning, training for independent living and residential housing options.

2.2.5. If I am unable to complete my challenge, what will happen to the donations that I have raised?

It is alright if you do not complete your challenge. All donations raised during the campaign period will still be channelled to Autism Resource Centre (Singapore). No deductions of donations will be made even if challenges are incomplete.

2.2.6. How can I check on the donations that my team or I have raised and the people who have supported me?

You can view the amount you have raised on your profile or your team's profile page. The total donation amount that you or your team have raised will be updated daily, and all your supporters will be shown on the page.

2.3.1. How much does each coupon cost?

Each coupon booklet costs $50 and contains 25 $2-tokens.

2.3.2. Can I purchase coupons at any of the booths?

Coupons can only be purchased from the coupon sales booth, using either cash or PayNow. Credit Cards will not be accepted as a form of payment.

There will also be mobile booths around the carnival.

2.3.3. Can I use cash or PayNow to pay for food and games?

You can only use coupons at the food and game booths. Cash or PayNow is not accepted at any of the booths.

2.3.4. Is there an entrance fee or donation required to participate in the carnival?

No, there is no entrance fee required. Food and games are priced in number of tokens.

2.3.5. Are there any items available for purchase that directly support the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) or its beneficiaries?

There is a booth by The Art Faculty; a social enterprise by Autism Resource Centre (Singapore). The Art Faculty creates quality, functional gifts with unique art and motifs by artists on the autism spectrum. Our artists earn income when you shop!

2.3.6. Are there any food options that are certified halal?

Do keep a look out for the signs placed on each booth to indicate if the food is certified halal or not.

2.4.1. How do I create a profile for the online campaign?

Check out the guide below or click here to register.

Video Link: How to register as an individual

2.4.2. How do I register as a team?

You will need to register and verify your account here first. After which, create a team from your profile page. Check out the guide below for more information.

Video Link: How to register as a team

2.4.3. How do I invite my friends to join my team?

After creating your team (From your profile > Create Team), you can generate a unique invitation link to invite other members to join your team. (Team profile > Generate Invite Link)

Anyone with a valid AVSW24 account can open this link to accept your invitation.

Please note that:

• Users who are not logged in or do not have a valid AVSW24 account will not be able to join your team.
• The link is only valid for 24 hours. After which, you will have to generate a different invitation link.
• Participants can only be in ONE team at any given time.

Check out the guide below for more information.

Video Link: How to invite team member(s)

2.4.4. How do I join a team?

To join a team, you will need to:

1. Register and verify your account here.
2. Have a unique invitation link created by the team's admin. Please request for the invitation link from him/her.
3. Once you have received the unique invitation link, ensure that you are logged in to your account, then open the invitation link from your browser.
4. Click "Join Team" and you will be added to the team automatically.

Check out the guide below for more information.

Video Link: How to join a team

2.4.5. What is the registration fee?

Registration is FREE!

2.4.6. How do I know if I have successfully registered?

You will receive an account verification email shortly after you complete your online registration.

2.4.7. Why did I not receive my verification email after completing the registration online?

This could be due to a variety of reasons:

• Your registration was not successful and therefore the confirmation email was not sent.
• There could be an error in your email at the point of registration, so the confirmation email was not sent to the correct email address.
• The email has been blocked by your mail server and/or is treated as spam. Please check your junk mail.

Please email avsw@autism.org.sg and provide the email address used at the time of registration for the team to check on your registration status.

2.4.8. Can I sign up for more than one activity?

Yes, you may sign up for the online challenge and join us at the carnival. You may also purchase the carnival coupons online.

2.4.9. Can I change my category after signing up?

Please email your request to avsw@autism.org.sg. Kindly ensure that you get an acknowledgement reply from the Organiser.

2.4.10. What happens after I register for the online challenge?

Participants are encouraged to raise funds for AVSW from their friends and family members after registering for the campaign.

You can do so by sharing your profile link on WhatsApp, or your preferred social media platforms, and sharing about your challenge.

Here’s a suggested message:

"Hi, I'm taking part in A Very Special Walk 2024 to help Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) or ARC(S) raise funds. I will be <insert your choice of challenge eg. walking 20,000 steps everyday for a month>. Please support me and donate to ARC(S) through my profile link, <insert your profile link here>. Funds raised will go towards ARC(S)’s programmes and services to enable their beneficiaries to lead independent and meaningful lives. Thank you for your donation!"