By Jamie Koh

FRANCES Leong, 10, a Primary 4 pupil from CHIJ Kellock, missed a couple of hours of school last Friday – all for a good cause.

With about 1,200 of her schoolmates, Frances filled goodie bags with stationery such as pencils and notebooks for 1,000 under-privileged children aged four to 12 from various welfare organisations.

The stationery was donated by the pupils and staff of the school, and each goodie bag also contains a personalised card designed by the pupils

Their efforts were for a charity event organised by The Business Times (BT), CHIJ Kellock and The Little Arts Academy. It is also to mark the celebration of BT's 32nd anniversary.

The event hopes to raise $300,000 from sponsorships and donations, said BT editor Alvin Tay.

The charity will benefit ChildAid, which supports The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and the BT Budding Artist Fund.

So far, $170,000 has been donated by organisations such as Overseas Union Enterprise, CapitaLand Hope Foundation and United Overseas Bank, and individuals and other firms.

The goodie bags that Frances and her schoolmates packed will be presented to the children on Oct 1 – Children's Day – at the Singapore Flyer, where they will be treated to a ride.

The children will also enjoy a concert put up by the CHIJ Kellock pupils at the Greek Theatre at the Singapore Flyer. They will also be entertained by activities such as face painting and origami.

"I feel very excited and happy to be able to help the children," said Frances, who will beperforming a tap dance with her schoolmates at the concert.

Said CHIJ Kellock principal Clara Lim-Tan, 36: "It is wonderful to have a child reaching out to another child."

jamiekoh@sph.com.sg

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