About 1,000 underprivileged children were treated to a day at the zoo as part of the Children For Children event, which raised the funds. -- PHOTO: BUSINESS TIMES

ABOUT $230,000 was raised yesterday, a day ahead of Children's Day today, for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.

Children were at the heart of the event - dubbed Children For Children - which brought in the money in an innovative fund-raiser.

Donors and corporate sponsors were invited to pledge sums, with each $200 symbolically sponsoring a day at the zoo for a child from a low-income family.

So about 1,000 underprivileged children had a memorable day out yesterday, viewing the animals, taking photographs with the disposable cameras they were given, and stopping at various points to take part in games and art and craft activities.

Donations from sponsors ranged from $200 to $20,000. After deducting the cost of organising the zoo event from the $230,000, the balance would be split 75-25 between the ST School Pocket Money Fund and the BT Budding Artists Fund.

The two funds, which disburse financial aid to children from low-income families for school and to develop their artistic talent, respectively, are beneficiaries of ChildAid, the annual charity concert.

The zoo event yesterday was also an exercise in community awareness for the students and staff of CHIJ Kellock, who planned and ran the activities for the children.

Firdhaus Jaafar, 10, who ended the day with a Singapore flag and a star painted on his arms, said he had a great time.

He made a coiled snake from a blue pipe cleaner at one of the art and craft booths.

'It's for my family. I'm going to scare my mum,' he said.

CHIJ Kellock's principal Clara Lim-Tan said her students benefited from the project as well.

'I think it has reminded them that Children's Day is not just about treats and getting gifts. It also taught them the importance of sharing, empathy and giving back to society.'

Children For Children was also a project by The Arts House and The Business Times, which marks its 33rd anniversary this year.

Mr Sam Tan, parliamentary secretary for Trade and Industry and Information, Communication and the Arts, was the guest of honour at the zoo event.