About 250 kids lapped up the sun, sea and bubbles on Sentosa yesterday. These children from various voluntary welfare organisations (VWO) were enjoying a day of fun on the island, as part of an event called Sentosa Experience organised by the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).

Over five days this week, different groups of children will visit the leisure island each day, with nearly 1,500 children from 31 VWOs taking part. The Sentosa Experience caters to children aged seven to 12, many of whom may not have visited Sentosa before.

"For me, it's a joy to see them happy and excited to experience Sentosa," said Ms Aryati Hajis, 39, a staff volunteer with SDC, who noted that these children "don't really get to experience what normal kids do because of their background".

"At least for a few hours on the island, they get to forget what they are going through in life," said Ms Hajis.

The children get to spend a day enjoying attractions such as the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom and Madame Tussauds Singapore.

The event, which is taking place for the sixth time, includes six new partners this year. These are KidZania Singapore, digital media facility MOSH!, hologram theatre K-Live Sentosa, and food sponsors Mambo Beach Club, Stickhouse and Sofitel Singapore Resort and Spa.

Sentosa Experience is part of SDC's annual corporate social responsibility initiative, Sentosa Gives, which is expected to benefit close to 3,000 members of the community this year.

Mr Chan Mun Wei, SDC divisional director of corporate planning, said: "Together with our island partners, we reach out annually to various beneficiaries, with a focus on children, (the) elderly and less privileged families to ensure that our resort island remains accessible to every member of our society to enjoy."