In line with the nation's vision to foster a caring spirit and to strengthen a community bonding through sports, City Developments Limited (CDL) raised $130,000 through the Charity Bowl 2000 for two cancer support organisations, the Assisi Home & Hospice (AHH) and Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF). Together with the strong support from over 25 leading business corporations, CDL Charity Bowl 2000 surpasses the fundraising target of $100,000.
Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Minister for Community Development & Sports, who officiated at the event, expressed, "I must commend City Developments Limited and its business associates for sharing the vision of the Ministry of Community Development and Sports in building social cohesion and community spirit through sports. I am pleased to note that the proceeds from today's CDL Charity Bowl 2000 will be channelled to the Assisi Home & Hospice and the Children's Cancer Foundation to help the patients, their families and research work in cancer. This is indeed an effective and noble way of being an active corporate citizen." Mr Tarmugi presented a cheque of $100,000 to Mr Gerard Ee, Chairman of AHH and a cheque of $30,000 to Mr Ho Cheng Huat, Vice-Chairman of CCF.
"Our objective in organising this Charity Bowl 2000 is to synchronise community development with sports. We believe that sports nurtures qualities like commitment, teamwork and perseverance, which are prerequisite to building a strong community. Therefore, what could be more meaningful than to combine our efforts with our business associates in tying up a fun sport like bowling with charity," added Mr Kwek Leng Joo, CDL's Managing Director.
The bowling tournament at the Singapore Bowling Academy saw 20 teams from participating companies which contributed amounts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Business executives of these organisations took time to take part in the tournament to do their bit for charity.
The highlight of the event was the participation of three celebrity teams comprising nine TCS artistes, sponsored by three organisations. Blazing the lanes for a worthy cause at the CDL Charity Bowl 2000 will include Christopher Lee, Bryan Wong, Tracer Wong, Lena Ng, Yvonne Lim, Yang Libing, Liang Wei Dong, Brandon Wong and Michelle Chia.
This is the second charity bowling tournament organised by CDL. In September 1999, CDL initiated the first Charity Bowling Tournament. The event raised close to $60,000 for cancer patients at Assisi Home & Hospice.
AHH was established in 1969 to provide compassionate and holistic care for advanced cancer patients. It saw an increase of over 208% of cancer patients since it fully operated as a hospice seven years ago. Last year, it reached out to a total of 730 cancer patients which include 477 live-in, 231 home care patients and 52 who used its day care centre service.
CCF was formed by volunteers as an independent charity in 1992 to provide support services that cater to the needs of cancer-stricken children and their families. It has since provided care and support to about 400 children and their families. It also supports training and research efforts related to childhood cancer.
These 2 beneficiaries depend primarily on public and corporate donations to sustain their work. Although they are affiliated to the National Council of Social Services, they do not receive funding from Community Chest of Singapore.