About Us & FAQs

1.2.1. How to take part

To participate in the event and help us raise funds, simply sign up and pick how you wish to support AVSW. You may join one, or all the activities.

1. Sign up for an online challenge and raise funds for AVSW (anytime between 1 May and 1 July 2023).
2. Take part in the fun walk and carnival on 1 July 2023.
3. Purchase carnival coupons to be shared with friends and family for use on 1 July 2023.

1.2.2. Event Duration

Sign-Up Period: 1 May to 1 July 2023

Challenge Period: Anytime between 1 May to 1 July 2023

Donation Period: 1 May to 31 July 2023

1.2.3. AVSW Participants

Participants can sign up to participate in AVSW individually or as a team.

2.1.1. What is A Very Special Walk?

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 walks, walk + run, concerts, carnivals and even movie treats! AVSW was fully online in the last three years.

The theme for AVSW 2023 is We're Back! We are excited to announce that AVSW is back with a 4 km fun walk and carnival on 1 July 2023. Save this date and join us at Singapore Sports Hub, OCBC Square!

The online challenge is for those who enjoy doing an activity of their choice to help ARC(S) raise funds for our programmes and services.

Whether online or on-site, join us and be part of AVSW 2023!

Help ARC(S) raise funds for our 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.

2.1.2. How do I take part in AVSW 2023?

There are several ways you can take part in AVSW 2023. You may:

1. Sign up for an online challenge and raise funds for AVSW (anytime between 1 May and 1 July 2023),
2. Take part in the fun walk and carnival on 1 July 2023, or
3. Purchase carnival coupons to be shared with friends and family, to be used on 1 July 2023

To sign up, click here.

2.1.3. 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, cook, sing or dance... the list goes on! You may walk, run, sing, sew, dance, draw, pick litter, write poetry… the list goes on! You may do your challenge individually or in a team. Sign up today!

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 #AVSW. We may feature you on our pages, so stay tuned!

2.1.4. What is happening on 1 July 2023?

A Very Special Walk will take place at Singapore Sports Hub, OCBC Square on 1 July 2023. The event will kick off with a walk around Sports Hub area and the scenic Tanjong Rhu area followed by a carnival at OCBC Square.

This is an event not to be missed! Save this date and join us for loads of fun, food and games! Sign up here. To avoid disappointment, get your carnival coupons early.

2.1.5. When is the registration period?

Registration is open from 1 May to 1 July 2023.

Participants who have registered for the online challenge are encouraged to start raising funds for AVSW.

2.1.6. When is the challenge period?

Participants should complete their challenge during the challenge period from 1 May to 1 July 2023.

2.1.7. When is the online donation period?

Online donations will be accepted from 1 May to 31 July 2023.

2.1.8. Can anyone participate?

Yes, participants of all ages are welcome to register for AVSW 2023. 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 form.

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

All donations raised will go towards our 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.

2.1.10. 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 refunds of donations will be made even if challenges are incomplete.

2.1.11. If I am unable to turn up on 1 July, what will happen to the carnival coupons I have purchased?

It is alright if you are unable to turn up on 1 July. The carnival coupons are transferable so you may wish to pass your carnival coupons to someone who can attend. No refunds will be available.

2.1.12. How can I check on the donations that I or my team 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 and all your supporters will be shown on the page.

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

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

2.1.14. 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".

2.1.15. 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, NRIC/FIN/UEN* and contact information (email address and phone number). 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 tax deduction. Please provide your NRIC/FIN/UEN for auto-inclusion in your tax assessment.

2.1.16. 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 tax-deductible receipt will be sent to you if you provide your Name (as in NRIC/FIN) and NRIC/FIN/UEN number along with your email address and phone number.

2.2.1. What is the Fun Walk?

It is a 4.4km walk along Sports Hub and the scenic Tanjong Rhu area. Admission will start at 7:30 am and the walk will flag off at 8:15am. The walk can also be completed at one's own pace and it would take roughly an hour to do so. Additionally, the walk is free for all to attend so bring along your loved ones and join us for this fun walk!

2.2.2. What is the Carnival?

The carnival will begin at 8:00 am. Indulge in delicious food, enjoy exciting performances and play fun games at our carnival! Keep an eye out for game prizes, exciting performances, and the presentation of top 3 prizes to our highest fundraisers.

2.2.3. How long would the carnival last?

The carnival will run from 8am – 2pm.

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

You can only use coupons at the booths. Cash or PayNow is not accepted at any other booths.

2.2.5. How much does each coupon cost?

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

2.2.6. I do not want to purchase the entire booklet at $50, am I able to purchase coupons in smaller denominations?

Yes, coupons can be purchased in sheets of $10 instead.

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

No, coupons can only be purchased from the information booth, using either cash or PayNow. Credit Cards will not be accepted as a form of payment.

2.2.8. 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.

2.2.9. 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!

2.2.10. 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.

2.3.1. How do I register for the campaign?

Check out the guide below or click here to register.

Video Link: How to register as an individual

2.3.2. 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

2.3.3. 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 AVSW23 account can open this link to accept your invitation.

Please note that:

• Users who are not logged in or do not have a valid AVSW23 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)

2.3.4. How do I join a team?

To join a team, you will need to:

• Register and verify your account here
• Have a unique invitation link created by the team's admin. Please request for the invitation link from him/her.
• 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.
• 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

2.3.5. What is the registration fee?

REGISTRATION IS FREE!

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

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

2.3.7. 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.

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

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

2.3.9. 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.

2.3.10. 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 2023 to help Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) or ARC(S) raise funds. I will be walking 20,000 steps every day from 1 to 30 June. 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!" (Please note that the challenge and duration of doing the challenge are examples only.)

2.3.11. How do I track my distance and time for my running/walking challenge(s)?

You may track your distance and time from 1 May to 1 July 2023.

Although not mandatory, the most accurate way to do your tracking is by using a running GPS watch, but there are also several free smartphone apps available for iPhones and Android devices that you may be interested in. Please see some suggestions for free run-tracking apps.

• Endomondo
• Runtastic
• RunKeeper
• MapMyRun/MapMyWalk

You could also track by updating your profile page with pictures and short write-ups of not more than 150 words.