Inside DB News Article on Sichuan Trip

Local gymnastics coach, eye witness from the Beijing Olympics and hands on relief giver to the survivors of the Sichuan earthquake, Charles Chan should, according to Joan Gill, be given a gold medal.

Meet DB gymnastics coach Charles Chan and you’ll find that he is as active, enthusiastic and inspiring in person as he promises to be on paper. This Hong Kong native has been teaching gymnastics in Discovery Bay for five years, but also puts time aside to help those in need. Named a Hong Kong Hero by So-U TV, Chan travelled to the Sichuan Province in July to spread joy to quake victims. After a draining yet rewarding week, he then headed to Beijing to take in the sights and soak up the atmosphere of the Olympic Games.

Chan, who has been practicing gymnastics since he was 12 years old, first started teaching in 1987. Once he realised he could make a career as a coach and teacher, he enrolled in the Beijing Sports University. Now through his fitness company, Sportsmanship, Chan teaches gymnastics to kids, aiming to promote health in both body and mind. “The name sportsmanship says it all,” he explains. “I use the sport as a tool to teach a concept. You must nurture the body and mind and develop good habits in kids at a young age.”

Chan is constantly trying to help others take control of their own lives, and in the past has travelled to mainland China, Taiwan and Nepal to help those in need. No surprise then that after watching news coverage of the destruction to Sichuan Province in May, Chan felt that he had to do something. When he heard of a group of mostly mainland volunteers, who were headed to Baichuan to spread psychological relief, Chan jumped on board, eager to implement methods from his work in DB.

View the full article here, inculding additional pictures:

http://www.so-u.tv/newsletter/IDBOct08DBPersona1-03.pdf

AID TO SICHUAN - help is still needed.

• Crossroads Foundation, http://www.crossroads.org.hk/
• Hong Kong Red Cross, http://www.redcross.org.hk/
• Oxfam International, http://www.oxfam.org/

• World Vision, www.worldvision.org.hk/eng/default.asp