Assisi Hospice Charity Race Day
01 November 2009

AWDS supported the Financial Women’s Organization’s charity fund-raising luncheon at the Singapore Turf Club, which raised a commendable $290,000 in aid of the Assisi Hospice. The event was jointly organised by The Business Times, The Financial Women's Association of Singapore and Well Wishers of Assisi Hospice and graced by Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

It was an enjoyable afternoon, as suited gentlemen and ladies with hats mingled and caught up over a delicious luncheon buffet that then trailed on to a high-tea spread, complete with a wine bar and other beverages. People placed their bets in air conditioned comfort, with spectacular views of the race course from the VIP gallery boxes, aided by some wide screen TVs for those who preferred to chat and remain at their tables.

The monies raised came from table sales and private donations as well as a charity auction, which included a Jaeger Atmos clock for $11,000, a grey South Sea pearl necklace $15,000, a pair of business class return tickets to Beijing on Singapore Airlines with a three-night suite stay at Raffles Beijing Hotel, $9,888.

The Assisi Hospice operates with an annual budget of $6 million. Of this, about a third comes from the Ministry of Health and other sources, leaving the hospice to raise the balance of $4 million from public donations. Last year, the hospice looked after 1,088 patients of whom 90 were children.