Races, gelato flavours created by celebrity chefs and donations from shop earnings were some of the ways Marina Bay Sands (MBS) raised $5.4 million for charity over 10 days spanning last month and this month.

This is its third charity festival, and the money raised will support 80 local charities and more than 300,000 Singaporeans, said MBS in a statement yesterday .

There were 27 fund-raising and community events over the 10 days, including donating takings - from July 31 to Aug 2 - from attractions like the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, ArtScience Museum and sampan rides to the Community Chest.

More than 1,000 Pioneer Generation beneficiaries and senior volunteers were also treated to the LKY Musical at MasterCard Theatres, and earnings from 11,799 scoops of gelato sold went to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

The fund received $160,912.28 in total from gelato sales and donations from corporations as well as individuals.

The Heartstrings Walk, organised by the integrated resort and the Community Chest, raised more than $2.01 million this year - the highest amount raised since 2011.

The chief executive officer and president of MBS, Mr George Tanasijevich, said: "The strong support from the public encourages us to continue to create unique experiences and events to raise funds for local beneficiaries."

Last year, the Sands for Singapore Charity Festival raised $3.8 million over a weekend.