Volunteer Spotlight: Simon PCFS Volunteering Journey

1. How did you get to know PCFS?
I met the President of the Singapore Cycling Federation at an event. When he found out I was already volunteering with RunningHour as a guide runner for people with special needs, he asked if I’d be interested in doing something similar with cycling — and passed my details on to Yvette, PCFS’s Chairman.

2. What has PCFS done for you?
PCFS has broadened my understanding of just how many levels and forms special needs can take. What means the most to me is knowing I’ve been able to support not just the athletes, but their families and carers too.

What was a highlight or best memory of your PCFS experience?
A real highlight was piloting the tandem bike — normally reserved for our visually impaired athletes. In one session, we opened it up to anyone who wanted a go, including a couple of “aunties” who weren’t too sure at first! Everyone ended up really enjoying it, and it was great seeing people step outside their comfort zone.

4. What would you recommend for someone considering volunteering at PCFS, and why?
Just volunteer! You don’t need to be the best cyclist — you can learn as you go while helping others. It’s not just great for the athletes; it also supports their families and carers, and might even give them a well-deserved break.

5. How has your volunteering experience been so far?
Overall, I really enjoy the experience. It’s nice to feel appreciated; I’ve made new friends along the way, and I hope I’m making a difference too.

6. Firecity Gym sessions – What keeps you going to gym sessions? Would you recommend Firecity Gym sessions to others?
Firecity Gym generously offered PCFS volunteers, carers, and family free classes, and I’ve been attending most weeks — I can thoroughly recommend it. Uncle Sam, the owner and coach, is a fantastic instructor, and we’ve been welcomed into his gym community while getting stronger at the same time.

From Surgeries to 10K Cycling Ride: How Para Athlete Evan Found His Strength & Community at PCFS

1. How did Evan’s journey with PCFS start?
When Evan was 7 years old, he went through multiple brain surgeries to remove a tumour. As a result, he has right-sided weakness and severe ptosis.

As Evan recovered, the family really wanted to be able to cycle together. But because of his right-sided weakness, Evan could not ride a normal bike, and he’d get left out. That was what pushed the family to search online for an organisation that could support cycling for children with his condition. In January 2025, our family came across PCFS, and President Yvette reached out not long after and invited Evan to come for a trial.

2. What was the biggest change you noticed in Evan since joining PCFS?
Progress was slow at the start. Evan tried the hand bike a few times and later switched to a trike. He got into a weekly routine, and honestly, in the early months, the family didn’t think too much of it, as it was just something he did every week.

The biggest change came during PCFS’s National Day celebration ride in August 2025. For the first time, the family watched Evan complete several rounds around the Expo track. This was something we didn’t think he’d be able to do, given everything he’d been through. Every participant got a medal at the end too, which meant a lot to all of us.

3. What was a highlight or best memory of Evan and your family’s PCFS experience?
The highlight was the fundraising ride where Evan cycled 10km along East Coast Park. He was in his PCFS cycling jersey, looking so confident and sporty, which was quite different from where he started. Watching him finish the 10km was a surreal moment for the family, honestly a mix of pride and disbelief at how far he’d come.

4. What would you recommend for someone considering joining PCFS, and why?
Our family would definitely recommend PCFS. It’s run by passionate volunteers and really does feel like one big family. Beyond giving people with disabilities a chance to cycle, PCFS also helps build confidence and a sense of self-worth, which the family has seen in Evan’s own growth. The coaches are warm and patient, and that kind of support makes a real difference in helping athletes believe in themselves.

5. How has NCFS Uplift Gym been, and would you recommend it?
Evan started at NCFS Uplift Gym in June 2025, through a collaboration with PCFS. Evan genuinely enjoys his time there, and over the past year he’s grown noticeably stronger, building muscle and a sturdier core. The gym is run by a group of volunteers, and the trainers themselves are volunteers too. Each session pairs Evan with one dedicated trainer, who guides him through the specific equipment and exercises one-on-one. The trainers keep encouraging Evan to lift a little heavier or push a little more each time. It’s not easy to find a gym that caters to people with disabilities, so the family would recommend it just as much.

Heart of the Game: Evolving from Volunteer to PCFS Community Coach

1. How did you get to know PCFS, and how did your journey begin?
My journey began in June 2016 during a CSR event organised by my employer at the time, Citibank. We visited what was then known as the Handcycling Association of Singapore (HAS)—which would later become PCFS. That was my very first exposure not only to handcycling but to para-sports in general.

At the time, I was actively looking for an opportunity to volunteer and give back to Singapore—a country where I’ve spent most of my working life, where my kids grew up, and which has truly become my second home. I noticed HAS had very few volunteers and realised I could genuinely be of use. I approached the organisers, and they warmly welcomed me to join their Saturday training sessions at ITE Simei.

As I continued volunteering, I was eventually offered the chance to be trained and certified as a coach. Initially, I lacked the confidence to take on the coaching position. However, thanks to the incredible encouragement and support from various parents of our PCFS athletes – Remy, Lai Kuan, Molly, and Lim Nah – I leapt, and in 2020, officially became an NROC-certified coach.

Since then, the organisation has grown tremendously. HAS evolved into PCFS; we introduced tandem cycles and tricycles, and our athlete roster expanded from just 10 to around 40, with many now competing in regional and international events. Going from someone who didn’t even know how to pump a bicycle tyre to being designated a community coach—and even being nominated for the Community Coach of the Year award—has been an incredibly fulfilling journey. I owe it all to the athletes, their parents and caregivers, and the PCFS management, who have always been so supportive. Today, it’s not just me; my wife and two daughters are also very much a part of this wonderful extended family.

2. What has PCFS done for you?
It opened the door to the world of sports, para-sports, and coaching for me. It gave me the confidence to work closely with people with disabilities and provided me with a meaningful way to give back to the society that has supported me for the past 35 years.

3. What have been the highlights or best memories of your PCFS experience?
Being offered the role of a coach was my first major milestone, followed by being nominated by PCFS for Community Coach of the Year—an honour I still can’t quite believe I deserved!

Along the way, there have been so many unforgettable moments, from first meaningful interactions with new athletes, meeting President Tharman & various Ministers through a host of PCFS outreach events – SDSC, SNPG, and Car-Free Day events to the sheer joy of cycling alongside our athletes at various triathlons & community events such as Run for Inclusion!

4. What would you recommend for someone considering joining PCFS?
Many of my friends ask me, “Why do you volunteer with PCFS?” My answer is simple: “Because I can.”

You don’t need to be an expert or have any prior experience. All you need is a couple of hours to spare and the willingness to share some truly enjoyable moments. Volunteering with PCFS will give you immense personal satisfaction, introduce you to many great friends, and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

5. How has your coaching journey been so far?
In a single word: Fulfilling. It has been an absolute joy. PCFS has given me confidence to support those who need it, a happy extended family and provided my children with firsthand exposure to the impact of helping others.

6. Do you have any other thoughts you’d like to share?
I highly encourage anyone who can commit just a couple of hours a week to join PCFS or a similar organisation. When you invest your time and energy, you gain so much more in return—you earn deep satisfaction for your mind and great exercise for your body.

Sharing my reflection on our strength training sessions at FireCity:

1. Before starting the FireCity Gym sessions, how did you feel and what were your expectations?
Being a caregiver can be emotionally exhausting, as there is always something that needs to be done for our loved ones with disability. On top of that, trying to balance caregiving with work. My expectation was to take a pause in a meaningful way, to step away from the pressures with the goal of making myself stronger physically and mentally.

2. After many sessions, what changes have you noticed in yourself? What keeps you going to the gym?
The gym has become my space to pause from the demands of caregiving and work and to find a sustainable source of strength. What keeps me going is the reset the gym provides. It’s a dedicated hour where I can focus on my own progress which helps me return to my caregiving role and work with a cleared mind and renewed patience.

3. What was one meaningful moment or highlight from your experience?
There was a specific session where I felt physically tired but mentally energized. Having that hour to reset and share that space with coaches, volunteers and fellow caregivers who understand that journey made it even more impactful.

4. Would you recommend this programme to other caregivers, and why?
I would absolutely recommend this to other caregivers. We often forget that we cannot pour from an empty cup. This programme isn’t just about fitness, it’s about community and reclaiming a piece of yourself. It gives you the physical and emotional stamina to keep showing up for our loved ones with disability while honoring your own need for growth.

I am deeply grateful to Samuel for opening his space to PCFS and to the FireCity community for making us feel welcome!