SINGAPORE - Law students as well as veteran lawyers tackled each other in rugby to raise funds for charity on Friday.

About 25 students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore Management University (SMU) as well as 15 lawyers played at the Yio Chu Kang stadium and raised $85,000 through donations. Of the funds, $50,000 will go to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which benefits underprivileged school-going children. The remaining $35,000 will go to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, which provides legal help for those who cannot afford it.

The event, Rugby Charity Shield, was organised by law firms Drew & Napier and Quahe Woo & Palmer.

Mr Michael Palmer, a director at Quahe Woo and Palmer said: "Rugby has provided a unique platform to raise funds. The veterans made a great effort to play and we hope that the young ones got to know some of them."

Lawyer Chew Kei-Jin, from Tan Rajah and Cheah, said: "It's been 25 years since I played proper rugby, but this is for a good cause.

Added the 52-year-old: "I would not have played if it was not for charity."

Ms Nicole Chee, 22, a final-year law student from NUS, added that the event was meaningful and there was a good turnout despite the haze.

"The haze cancelled a lot of our trainings so we're glad this managed to take place."