(Clockwise from left) Daniel Lim, Marcus Lee, Pua Yi Sin and Gerald Sng are organising a fund-raising event called Nudge for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

Giving charity a nudge

TOUCHED by how the lives of struggling children have been improved by The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, four teens are contributing to the effort by organising a concert cum carnival.

The Raffles Junior College students' event today aims to raise $30,000.

The 17-year-olds have been planning for the event, Never Underestimate how Donating Generously Empowers! (Nudge) since April. They even persuaded sponsors Ministry of Food, a chain of restaurants, and Sentosa to fund food and drinks and provide the venue at Sentosa Cove free.

They also raised money to pay local rock bands - Caracal, Vertical Rush, West Grand Boulevard and Plainsunset - to perform. Gerald Sng, Pua Yi Sin, Marcus Lee and Daniel Lim, are hoping to raise the money through ticket sales and cash donations.

As a youth grassroots volunteer with Meet-the-People sessions in the east area, Gerald has personally helped some residents apply for funding, and was motivated by their plight. One cancer-stricken man who had been laid off did not have money for food to his two primary school-going kids.

But because one of them received money from the ST fund, 'she was able to eat during lunch and take the bus back from school instead of walking'.

Tickets for the event at Sentosa Cove Arrival Plaza, between 5pm and 11pm, are at $16 for adults and $12 for students. Buy tickets at the venue, or at Ministry of Food outlets.

TAN WEIZHEN

'Pocket' way to raise funds

THOSE who shop at fashion retailer Topshop Topman's Ion Orchard outlet any time until Aug 23 will do well to think about buying clothes with pockets. For every item of clothing with a pocket sold there, the retailer will donate a dollar to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

Shoppers who buy clothing with pockets will also be given a Topshop eco-bag or a Topman badge, while stocks last.

Pieces of limited-edition clothing will also be put up for auction. These items are on display in the store. Bidding will end on Aug 23, and all proceeds will go to the ST fund.