Now in the second half of his life, the 55-year-old former stockbroker is still going after their money - but this time for charity.

Fund-raising is never an easy job, even in the best of times, much less in the current economy.

But the chief executive of the new Community Foundation, an initiative of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) to boost philanthropy among millionaires here, believes that those with deep pockets still have a lot to give away.

'Their wealth may have been wiped out by 20, 30 or 40 per cent, but they are still very rich,' he said.

'They just need to be convinced to give their money, and now is a good time to give since so many people need help.'

Mr Loh is no stranger to asking others for donations, having previously been involved in Christian charity YMCA's fund-raisers.

The father of two daughters was introduced to charity work by his father, retired eye doctor Robert Loh.

Dr Loh, now in his 80s, is the former president of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and was YMCA president for about 20 years.

Taking after his father, the younger Loh is now the vice- president of YMCA and also an NCSS board member.

So why did Mr Loh, who was trained as an accountant, leave stockbroking?

'What I did had lost its meaning. People have lost confidence in the industry and the writing is on the wall,' he said.

'Besides, I feel I want to do something more meaningful for society.'

Read the full report in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.