The Tanglin Club has marked its 150th year with the single biggest charity collection from members.

It said this week that a collection drive which formed part of a year- long series of activities to mark the anniversary raised $391,950 for the President's Challenge and three other charities.

The 150th-year milestone events included the planting of a Saraca tree on the club's grounds on Monday by president Robert Wiener, witnessed by other club members.

"Planting a tree allows us to create a lasting reminder of not only our 150th anniversary, but also all the joy and generosity surrounding this milestone," said Mr Wiener.

The tree, like a similar one planted 25 years ago by then club president George Sandosham, marks "a significant period of growth and prosperity both at The Tanglin Club and in Singapore", he said.

The 4,200-strong social club in Stevens Road is one of Singapore's oldest and most prominent.

Half of the proceeds from the charity collection were distributed equally among the Kidney Dialysis Foundation, Food from the Heart and Focus on the Family.

Other activities to mark the year included hosting nearly 150 underprivileged children from Beyond Social Services and Lakeside Family School for an afternoon poolside carnival in October.

In May, the club's dance section raised more than $10,000 for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore while the golf section raised almost $40,000 for the Special Olympics Singapore.

All in, the club collected about $500,000 for various charities, including Dover Park Hospice, said vice-president Eugene Lim.

Mr Wiener said: "It is important to me, as president, and to my fellow general committee members, that our focus and efforts extend beyond our club walls with generosity and support."

The club hosted a black tie charity gala last month at which the cheque for the President's Challenge charity was presented to President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who was the guest of honour.

K. C. Vijayan