Voicing his talent for a better cause

Many know Elliott Danker as the funny news and sports radio presenter on ONE FM’s #1 Breakfast Show.

But when he is off duty, the smiley radio personality often lends his unmistakable voice as an emcee for charity events.

Over the past eight years, Elliott has voluntarily hosted various Habitat for Humanity Singapore (HfH) charity events, such as Bare Your Sole and Cycle Out Poverty. HfH is a non-profit organisation that raises awareness about poverty in Singapore.

For Elliott, volunteer work is something he was involved in since he was a student. The law and management diploma holder shared how he used to volunteer to clean the homes of the less fortunate, even when he was in the army.

The 34-year-old, who is currently in a relationship, said: “The experience triggered something in me to not complain about shortcomings in my life. I learnt that if you want something, you have to go get it. And when you get it, don’t forget where you came from.”

His journey with HfH started in 2008, when the radio station he previously worked with partnered the non-profit organisation. The budding radio DJ took the opportunity to emcee for Bare Your Sole, a barefoot charity walkathon that aims to raise awareness about the less fortunate.

The barefoot walkathon, now in its eighth year, allows participants to experience what it is like to walk in the shoes, or lack thereof, of those in poorer communities.

Even when Elliott took a break from radio duties in 2010, he still continued as a volunteer emcee for HfH, as he was inspired by the community and the strong friendships he had fostered with fellow volunteers over the years.

When asked about his celebrity friends from the HfH team, Elliott laughed and said: “The HfH ambassadors are all family. I’ve known people like Paul Foster and Eunice Olsen for years now. Every year, when Bare Your Sole comes around, it’s like a school reunion for all of us.”

What keeps Elliott coming back every year to volunteer?

Elliott, who has a black belt in taekwondo, shared it was his “personal philosophy” to do so.

He explained: “We spend a lot of our time wanting different things. But in order to receive it first, you have to give.”

“I think I am fortunate enough to be able to make money out of my talent. If I can use it to help a charity make money…I might as well use it to give back [too].”

So, how can us youths volunteer our time?

After a slight pause, Elliott said: “There are many ways to volunteer. If not money, time. As a youth or as someone who has been in this industry for years, everyone talks about finding time.

“In life, you will want to make time to accomplish your goals. Similarly, you should make the time to do a little bit for charity.”