An evening purse, a Chinese vase and a crystal dragon were among 76 silent auction items. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

ALUMNI and teachers from the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) raised $3,164 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund last night.

The money came from a silent auction held at the GEP's 25th anniversary dinner attended by 600 alumni and teachers at the Raffles Town Club.

Items that were up for sale - all donated by GEP alumni - included books, clothes, art pieces and even a Louis Vuitton bag.

At the start of the dinner, attendees were invited to submit their bids. The items were awarded to the highest bidders at the end of the evening.

A community service portal catering to GEP alumni was launched at the event by guest-of-honour Ng Eng Hen, the Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence.

Called Building Bridges, the portal at http://building-bridges.gepaa.org aims to match alumni with community service organisations.

At the dinner, Dr Ng spoke about the contributions and achievements of GEP alumni, adding that the GEP should continue to 'prepare students to excel in diverse fields while also developing a principled and honest character'.

The evening's programme also included performances by GEP alumni, including a violin recital and poetry readings.

Violinist Tang Tee Khoon, 25, said her stint in the GEP trained her to take on the challenges that have come her way in her music career.

'The GEP influenced the course of my life, as I was placed in a challenging environment from a young age,' she said.

CHIA YAN MIN