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Citi event raises $500k for ChildAid

ITE College West student Gerald Mok, 18, wanted a break from classical choral music to sing pop tunes like those by singer Ed Sheeran.  

With financial assistance from The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, he got his chance and is taking singing classes at 10 Square@Orchard Central arts training centre.  

More than $500,000 was raised for young artists like him by banking group Citi and its information technology partners at its annual charity golf tournament yesterday.

The proceeds support ChildAid 2017, a charity concert to benefit The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which gives an allowance to children from low-income families, and BT's Budding Artists Fund, which provides financially disadvantaged children with opportunities to explore the arts.  

At the gala dinner after the golf event, guest of honour Baey Yam Keng, who is Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth, and head of Citi Technology Infrastructure Paul McCarroll presented a cheque to co-chairs of ChildAid 2017 Marc Lim and Helmi Yusof; Singapore Press Holdings' English/Malay/Tamil Media group managing editor Alvin Tay; and BT fund chairman Wong Wei Kong.

A total of $3.64 million has been raised for ChildAid through the tournament since 2011.  

Mr Lim said he was "truly grateful" for Citi Singapore's support.  

Mr McCarroll said: "All children, despite different starting points in life, should have sufficient resources to perform well in school, pursue their interests and hone their potential in the arts."

The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.