Besides golf, running and fund-raising are two activities Dr Janice Khoo is passionate about.

The 57-year-old was able to indulge in both when she took part in The Straits Times Run at the Hub's 18.45km race, in a bid to raise $18,450 for the ST School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF).

The community project provides financial aid to students from low-income families.

Dr Khoo, a general practitioner who is married to orthopaedic surgeon Peter Lee, had asked 15 friends to pledge their support for her fund-raising cause before the ST Run.

More than 10 have responded so far, contributing a total of $12,200. But Dr Khoo remains committed to hitting the target and will top up the shortfall out of her own pocket.

She said: "I believe that when we have enough money, we can be instruments to reach out, to give and share them with needy children."

She is moved by the reality of children having to walk home from school because they do not have enough cash to take public transport.

"Running can be quite therapeutic and, sometimes when I run, I do think about needy kids," said the mother of four daughters aged 20 to 29.

In 2002, she had a hole-in-one and won a Mercedes C180 worth $153,000. She sold it and donated the money to charity.

Dr Khoo also heads the Youth Golf Network, which gives playing opportunities to young people who cannot afford to play the sport at local private golf clubs.

Alvin Chia