MARRYING their love for art with a charity cause, two business owners have launched a series of limited edition t-shirts to raise funds for needy children in the northwest district.

The 'Beary Ambitious Project' by Jasmine Fine Arts owner Jasmine Tay and Xi boutiques owner Anthony Goh aims to sell 1,000 bear print t-shirts in two months and collect $15,000 for the drive.

Northwest district mayor Dr Teo Ho Pin on Tuesday said the project was part of a 'many helping hands approach' to strengthen the social safety net.

'We are hoping that during this festive season, we can see more Singaporeans, people staying in Singapore and even tourists come forward,' he said.

Northwest CDC helps about 1,000 to 1,500 students a year by paying for their food and schooling expenses of up to 200,000 a year.

The numbers are expected to rise due to the economic downturn. Already, Dr Teo is seeing 25 per cent more residents at his meet-the-people sessions. Walk-ins to the CDC asking for help in finding jobs have also spiked 30 to 40 per cent in the second half of the year.

The T-shirts, which come in four designs, are sold at $53 for men's and $49 for women's, at three Xi boutique outlets at Tanglin Shopping Centre, Raffles City Shopping Centre and The Paragon until end January.