What would you do if someone collapsed in front of you? What if you saw someone taking upskirt photos?
When HOGC staff Randy Lim, HOGC member Aongus Tay, and HOGC member Goh Tian Qi found themselves in those exact positions, they sprung into action.
Randy and Tian Qi each saved a life. Aongus stood up for a victim of voyeurism. And between 2022 and 2024, all three were given awards for their willingness to help others in society.
HOGC staff awarded for helping to rescue a cardiac arrest victim
Randy Lim receiving the Minister’s National Day Award (Public Spiritedness) from Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law.
Randy Lim was going about his usual morning commute on the train when he noticed an elderly passenger who was coughing badly. At first, Randy did not think much of it, but the man started slumping in his seat.
Randy shared, “The incident happened three days after I heard Pastor How’s message, ‘Do Something’. At that moment, it hit me that if I didn’t do something, that man would die.”
He immediately assisted the man to the ground and called for help from a passerby. Because of Randy’s quick thinking, the man received prompt medical attention and survived.
Randy was given the Public Spiritedness Award by the Singapore Civil Defence Force, and subsequently awarded the Ministry of Home Affairs’ National Day Award (Public Spiritedness).
At a ceremony that happens just once a year, Randy received the award from Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law.
HOGC member awarded for chasing and detaining a voyeur
Aongus Tay receiving the Public Spiritedness Award from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, How Kwang Hwee.
While taking the escalator in a train station, Aongus noticed a man in front of him behaving suspiciously with his mobile phone. Upon a closer observation, Aongus realised that the man was taking upskirt photos of a woman on the escalator. He immediately shouted at the man to stop.
Alarmed, the man fled the scene. However, Aongus gave chase and together with another passerby, detained the man until the police arrived and arrested him for voyeurism.
Aongus shared, “I realised that the lady did not know what was happening and could not protect herself. That’s when I knew I needed to do something.”
For his public spiritedness in assisting the police, Aongus was presented with an award in a ceremony held at the Central Police Division. Aongus was commended for selflessly helping a victim of sexual offence.
Thanking the award recipients, the Deputy Commissioner of Police said that they have “demonstrated a high level of public spiritedness and their vigilance in partnership with the Police is a significant deterrent against crime.”
HOGC member saves a life at Yishun coffee shop
In September 2024, Tian Qi saw a man collapse near her home in Yishun while she was running errands. Tian Qi immediately called for an ambulance, but when she noticed his distress worsening, she quickly sprang into action.
Using her knowledge of lifesaving techniques, she performed CPR on the man until paramedics arrived. Even after he was hospitalised, Tian Qi continually checked in to ensure he was recovering well.
Like many in HOGC, Tian Qi has been trained through SCDF’s Responders Plus Programme. Together with SCDF, HOGC works to equip staff and volunteers with essential skills like CPR and first aid, ensuring they are ready to help when emergencies arise.
Tian Qi’s quick thinking and decisive actions earned her the SCDF Community Lifesaver Award, which Mr K Shanmugam presented to her at a Community Resilience Day event. Reflecting on the incident, Tian Qi shared, “I couldn’t have lived with myself if I just stood there and did nothing while knowing that I could do something to help the man fight for his life.”
