Link Asset Management Limited (Link), the manager of Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Link REIT) announces today (Wednesday) that “Link Together Initiatives”, its flagship charity and community engagement programme, is supporting new projects which are aimed to address challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Although Hong Kong hasn’t gone into full lockdown since the virus emerged, the pandemic stress, people’s physical confinement and cut-off from their usual support systems and regular coping mechanisms have underlined the urgency of re-establishing the lost connections,” said Nicholas Allen, Chairman of the Board of Link. “The global spread of the disease has also once more highlighted the importance of sustainability.” 

Among the seven projects Link Together Initiatives is supporting in the year 2020/2021 starting in October, three new projects are aimed to address the gaps and issues which have become more acute in the pandemic.

1. “Key of Life - Care • Share • Action” by Kwun Tong Methodist Social Services – the project connects young people with special educational needs (SEN) with elders with dementia. Both are often-neglected groups which may feel even more disconnected from the world and people during the pandemic. The project organises workshops and local tours to reconnect them and will also arrange job placements in local NGOs and corporations for SEN youths.
2. “Nature LINK” by the Environmental Association – it is a pilot project to build butterfly gardens in the vicinity of Link’s shopping centres which serve as an ecological stepping stone on butterfly conservation, and ecological hotspots in the long run. Residents in the nearby communities will be recruited as ‘Ambassadors’ who can build neighbourhood network through the project.
3. “Play Green in Link Community” by the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong – realising the needs for families to release stress and that one of the best ways is being outside and surrounded by the nature, the project will produce a “play book”, a first-in-Hong-Kong game-based environment education guide that incorporates green maps of natural areas around Link’s malls.

In addition to these three new projects, Link will continue to support two NGO start-up projects – Arts’ Options’ “Inspirational Drama Programme for Elderly”, as well as Culture Power Charity Foundation’s “We are Top Crew”.

“As their first corporate sponsor, Link is very proud to see their progress over the past year. With their passion and agility, they have attained impressive results despite the challenges of having to minimise physical contact due to the pandemic - Arts’ Options team putting extra efforts to organise Hong Kong’s first online professional drama training for the elderly; ‘We are Top Crew’ members were able to secure jobs through the programme amid economic challenges, ” Mr Allen added.

In the coming year, Link will remain a sponsor of Bo Charity Foundation’s “Food Angel – Love & Food Sharing and Education” and Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association’s “Guide Dogs Development and Public Education Program”.

A total of $13.7 million has been allocated for Link Together Initiatives programme in the year 2020/2021, which stands at a similar level with the previous year despite the more challenging business operating environment.

Established in 2013, Link Together Initiatives aims to advance sustainable development in the communities served by Link. Each year, Link contributes an amount of up to 0.25% of its net property income from the previous financial year to support charitable organisations with causes related to youth empowerment, active ageing and resource management. Since its launch, the programme has committed $89 million, including the commitment for 2020/2021 projects.

In addition to monetary support, Link seeks to nurture an ecosystem to create shared value and synergy with its stakeholders by encouraging staff, Link scholar alumni, business partners, tenants and vendors to engage with partner NGOs in various ways.

Details of the seven sponsored projects are listed in the Appendix.

High-resolution pictures can be downloaded here.

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About Link

Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Hong Kong stock code: 823), managed by Link Asset Management Limited, is a leading retail-focused REIT in the world. Listed in 2005 as the first REIT in Hong Kong, Link has been 100% held by public and institutional investors and is a Hang Seng Index constituent stock. From its home in Hong Kong, Link manages a diversified portfolio including retail facilities, car parks and offices spanning Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, London and Sydney. Link seeks to extend its portfolio growth trajectory and grasp expansion opportunities in different markets in pursuit of our medium-term target Vision 2025. For details, please visit https://www.linkreit.com/.