SINGAPORE - A total of $43,573 was collected through an online donation drive for the family of late Tanjong Katong Primary School teacher Mohammad Ghazi Mohamed who died in the June 5 Sabah earthquake.

A cheque was presented to Mrs Ghazi's wife, Khalidal Huda Sukaimi, on June 29 - when the school term started after the June holidays - at East View Secondary School where she is a teacher.

Mr Chua Wee Nam, who was the primary liaison for the fund-raising campaign and also from East View Secondary School , was there to receive the cheque.

Mr Ghazi, 35, was one of the 10 Singaporeans who were killed when a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Sabah on June 5.

One of the fund-raisers, Mr Hoirul Hafiidz told The Straits Times on Friday (July 10) that Madam Khalidal was overwhelmed and had expressed her appreciation to those who donated.

He also said Madam Khalidal has requested privacy as the family goes through the Muslim month of Ramadan without Mr Ghazi.

The donation drive was started on June 11 by a group of about 20 hockey and football players who knew Mr Ghazi through school, university or clubs, The Straits Times reported earlier. It lasted one day.

On June 23, the Ministry of Education (MOE) also launched Sabah Earthquake Fund to help the Singaporean families of three breadwinners who died in the Sabah earthquake.

Set up in response to requests from the public, the fund will provide financial support to the families of Mr Ghazi, fellow teacher Terrence Loo, and Camp Challenge instructor Muhammad Daanish Amran.

The Ministry is in charge of collecting donations which is administered by philanthropic organisation Temasek Foundation.

The drive will close on July 22.

Donations can be made via cheque and should be made payable to the "Sabah Earthquake Fund" and sent to: Ministry of Education, 1 North Buona Vista Drive, MOE Building 09-52, Singapore 138675 (Attn: Sabah Earthquake Fund). To give in cash, visit the customer service centre at the MOE Building's Podium Block.

For more information on the fund, visit www.moe.gov.sg/sabahearthquakefund.