SINGAPORE - More than $700,000 was raised for over 80 charities under the care of the Community Chest at this year's World Gourmet Summit charity gala dinner held on Thursday.

The funds, raised through table sales, cash donations and auctions held during the dinner at W Singapore - Sentosa Cove, will go towards helping children with special needs, disadvantaged families, adults with disabilities and the elderly. Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was guest of honour at the event.

With the Care and Share Movement extended until March next year, every dollar donated to the Community Chest will be matched one-for-one by the Government, so funds raised from the dinner willl be doubled.

Dr Henry Tay, chairman of the charity dinner organising committee, said: "As we celebrate our nation's Golden Jubilee, we should also remember the less fortunate who need our helping hand."

The World Gourmet Summit is an international gastronomic festival first introduced in 1997 as part of the Singapore Tourism Board's initiative to establish Singapore as a culinary destination.

Over the past decade, the festival's annual charity dinner has collectively raised more than $5 million to support the programmes run by the various charities.