Artistes from Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan come together to raise funds for Sichuan earthquake victims.
In response to the crisis unfolding in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake, the biggest to hit China in more than 30 years, a group of like-minded people have set up a charitable body called i-Trust to provide aid to the 15 million displaced and 5.47 million made homeless by the disaster.
Hong Kong actress Ewong Yung Hung started the ball rolling as founder of i-Trust when she made a call to her Malaysian partner Alan Chan, who became the chairman of i-Trust, working tirelessly behind the scenes. Miss Malaysia/Universe 2007 Deborah Henry came on board as i-Trust ambassador.
The celebrities who were at the press conference in Kuala Lumpur with Yung and Deborah included Datin Maylene Yong, who is active in charity work, veteran Hong Kong actor Tao Ping, singer Athena Beh, Project Superstar season one male and female champions John Wee and Desiree Tan and the newly-formed local pop duo MJH (Man Jiang Hong) of Frankie and Heng.
Beijing-born Yung also sang the theme song she had recorded for the Sichuan relief concert music video titled Tian Si De Wei Xiao (Smile of an Angel).
“It took three attempts before I could get the song properly recorded as I couldn’t help but break down each time the visuals of the child victims came on,” said Yung, 39, who has a 10-month-old daughter.
She expressed excitement at her own child’s development, in particular, standing up and walking for the very first time.
“My heart went out to the children who were affected by the Sichuan earthquake. They are like angels who have lost their smiles. I felt that I had to do something for them.
“Charity work makes me very happy. It has been a journey of self-discovery. When we help others, they help us back. People want to know why we are only now starting our charity efforts. But, I believe charity only has a beginning but no ending.
“We shall endeavour to gather our collective efforts to organise a charity event like this every year,” she said, adding that they would concentrate their efforts on providing relief to children and the elderly.
“Apart from child care centres, we’d like to make available daycare centres for seniors to help keep old folk safe,” said Yung.
The board of trustees of i-Trust hope to raise funds together with charity partners such as Tzu Chi Foundation via a gala dinner followed by a charity concert in October. Both promise to be star-studded events with the celebrity support of more than 20 artistes from Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
From Hong Kong are Andy Hui Chi On, Dicky Cheung Wai Kin, Lee Heung Kam, Tam Peng Mun and Tao Ping. From Taiwan are artistes Van Fan Yi Chen and JJ Jen-Show Jen.
Malaysian artistes include Ah Niu (Tan Kheng Siong), Ning Baizura, Jaclyn Victor, Juwita Suwito, Andrew Tan, John Wee, Christy Tan, Desiree Tan, Athena Beh and MJH.
Organised by i-Trust, both events are endorsed by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia with radio support from local Chinese radio station 988 FM, which is operated by The Star.
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