SINGAPORE - The Community Chest raised a record $64 million in the last financial year - 65 per cent more than in the previous one.

The amount will be matched by the Government through its SG50 Care and Share initiative.

Some 418 donors comprising individuals, government agencies, foundations and corporations were recognised for their contributions at the Community Chest Awards at the Capitol Theatre on Friday, an event attended by President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin.

Dr Henry Tay, former vice chairman of Community Chest and co-founder of The Hour Glass, was presented with the Special Recognition Award for his work.

Dr Tay, 71, spearheaded the Social Help and Assistance Raised by Employees (Share) programme - a voluntary donation by payroll deduction that is matched by participating employers.

It provides a steady flow of funds for Community Chest, the fundraising and engagement arm of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). About 16 per cent of the donations raised by this year's Community Chest Awards recipients came through Share.

Dr Tay, who calls himself a "professional beggar" began volunteering with the Community Chest in 1990 and served as its vicechairman from 2004 to 2014 .

"The Share programme is a very significant part of the my contribution to Com Chest," he said.

Sony Electronics Singapore was one of four organisations to be awarded the Pinnacle Award, the highest honour bestowed.

The company has contributed to the Community Chest through the Share programme since 1991, and has boasted a staff participation rate of over 97 per cent for the past decade.

The other Pinnacle Award recipients were the Singapore Armed Forces - G1 - Army, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and Panasonic Industrial Devices Semiconductor Asia.

The funds raised will benefit the 80 charities that the Community Chest supports.