Singaporeans work to raise funds

From iTODAY:



Hoe Yeen Nie | Mar 15, 2011 6:00 AM
The disaster in Japan has spawned a ground-swell of fund-raising efforts in Singapore.

From humanitarian organisations to companies and individuals, Singaporeans are coming together to do their bit. Mercy Relief and the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) have received fund-raising permits to accept donations from the public and a two-person Mercy Relief team is in Japan to determine the needs there before sending over supplies such as ready-to-eat porridge.

According to SRC, banks such as Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, as well as individuals have come forward offering help. It is also working with The Japanese Association to raise funds.

The SRC is also working with DBS, OCBC and UOB to allow donations through ATMs and the Internet.

Companies are also getting in on the act: Groupon Singapore, a website that sells discount coupons, is holding its own fund-raiser, with proceeds going to SRC, while Japanese food restaurant Yakiniku Daidomon plans to donate a day's earnings. Yakiniku Daidomon managing director Stanley Yeoh said it hopes to raise at least S$5,000.

On Facebook, word spread of a charity concert at Blu Jaz cafe on Thursday to raise funds for Mercy Relief.

Apart from raising funds, the SRC has opened a hotline to help people in Singapore get in touch with relatives in Japan.

The SRC will take down details of the missing family member and the information will be forwarded to the Japanese Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross to help trace the missing person.

Location:,Singapore