OffBeat recently spoke to several officers of Marine South Division who are participants in voluntary services despite their busy and demanding work schedule.

Station Sergeant Lai Tsang-hing devotes much of his leisure time in running the Federation of Parent-Teacher Association, Wong Tai Sin District.

"I started organising a parent-teacher association of a school in 1995, making use of my knowledge gained from working in the Force such as management and organisational skills.

"It was such a success that we eventually formed a coalition with several parent-teacher associations in the district and established the Federation of Parent-Teacher Association, Wong Tai Sin District in 1999," recalled SSGT Lai.

"Although I have to spend extra time and effort doing this voluntary work, I get satisfaction from it especially when I see some of the parents improve their communication skills with their children after attending our activities," said SSGT Lai.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Lam Kwong-ngan together with other churchgoers regularly visits the elderly who live alone and prepare food for them.

"Those elderly are the most vulnerable groups in our society and really need our help and care. Therefore, my family and I visit them in our own spare time. I believe that if we can share our happiness with the less fortunate people, our community will be more harmonious," SGT Lam added.

Some colleagues even extend their benevolence to places outside Hong Kong. Examples are the active participation of Senior Inspector Chan Kam-wo and Inspector Tse Wing-cheong in helping underprivileged Mainland children.

SIP Chan Kam-wo said: "Between 1999 and 2001, I helped organise the Local Inspectors' Association activities to raise funds to build schools in the Mainland.

"Two primary schools were eventually built in Baise City and Longzhou City in Guangxi Province respectively. We also helped in the reconstruction of a primary school in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province.

"I always remember how happy the kids were when we attended the opening ceremonies of these schools. They had longed for schooling and I was so thrilled that our assistance finally helped them realise their dream," enthused SIP Chan.

IP Tse Wing-cheong adopted a different approach to help the Mainland kids.

"Several years ago, I visited Guangxi and saw many children living in very poor conditions and so I started subsidising the school fees and living expenses of four kids living in Yunnan Province," IP Tse said.

"It is very encouraging to see many colleagues follow me to join this meaningful activity after I shared my experience with them.