On 15 February 2013, over 150 Singaporeans will take part in the Total Defence (TD) Challenge, where about 30 teams of 6 participants each take on a series of physical and mental challenges as they travel from the Singapore Discovery Centre to Republic Polytechnic, where the TD Day Commemoration Event will be held. Each team will comprise participants from diverse backgrounds, ages and walks of life. The participants will learn teamwork and unity, leveraging on each other’s strengths and abilities, as they attempt to complete the tasks at each checkpoint. The teams will be awarded points for each completed task, which will be matched by a monetary value to help raise funds for charities supported by Community Chest.

The TD Challenge demonstrates that when Singaporeans work together as one, we can overcome any challenges that may come our way. As 2013 marks 10 years since the SARS epidemic hit Singapore, this is a fitting opportunity to remind Singaporeans of how the nation stood together during that crisis, hence the theme "Total Defence - Will You Stand With Me?" for this year's TD campaign.

Colonel Kelvin Koh, Director Nexus, said, "We are excited to introduce the TD Challenge as part of this year's TD campaign. It is a meaningful initiative that encourages unity amongst Singaporeans and reminds us that we can build a strong and secure nation as long as everyone stands together as one."

The TD Day Commemoration Event at Republic Polytechnic is open to the public to participate in fun activities such as a mini-adventure challenge that they can complete on the spot. Singaporeans can also look forward to exhibitions, stage performances by TD partners, and displays of civil defence and SAF equipment. The event is open from 9am to 6pm on 15 February 2013.

Several online initiatives will be launched in the lead up to TD Day to engage and encourage the public to stand with one another in good and bad times. Singaporeans can take part in the "Let's Stand Together" online human chain by submitting their photos on the official website www.standwithme.sg. Singaporeans can also share their stories of how someone has stood together with them to achieve a remarkable feat or to overcome a challenge, by submitting photos, videos and messages through the "My Friend In Deed" contest on the ConnexionSG Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ConnexionSG). 

A popular component of the TD campaign is N.E.mation!, an annual animation competition for youths to express their thoughts on TD. This year, the competition  theme "Together We Overcome" has engendered creative clips that take inspiration from superheroes, heartwarming friendships, and even historical events like the Bukit Ho Swee fire. From 18 January 2013 onwards, the public can view and vote for their favourite N.E.mation! 7 clips. Voting will end on 7 February 2013.

15 February, the day Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942 during World War II, is Total Defence Day. It serves as a reminder to Singaporeans that everyone has a part to play in defending our country. For more information on the campaign, please log on to www.standwithme.sg.