THE next time you're waiting for the MRT or bus, keep an eye out for the colourfully decorated Heart Train and Heart Buses.

Launched on Friday by President S R Nathan, the Heart Train, Buses, posters and walls have raised a total of $345,000 for this year's President's Challenge.

The Heart train and buses will ply bus and train routes across Singapore for the next 12 weeks to raise awareness of the President's Challenge and its beneficiaries.

At the launch, representatives from six voluntary welfare organisations, beneficiaries of the President's Challenge, were invited to join the President on a joy-ride in the Heart Train. They were treated to balloon sculpting and music on board the ride from Ang Mo Kio station to Yishun station.

This is the first year in which members of the public will be able to donate to the President's Challenge via SMS.

To donate, SMS 78888 in the following format: SMS codeNRIC. The SMS codes for donation are as follows: PC2 for a $2 donation, PC10 for a $10 donation and PC20 for a $20 donation.

Members of the public can start donating with immediate effect, till 31 December.