Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur presented cheques totalling RM503,000 to 12 children suffering from severe heart ailments and needing urgent surgery at its ‘Embrace the Gift of Life’ Buka Puasa Charity Dinner on 23 June.
KDYMM Sultanah Nur Zahirah presented the cheques to the parents of the children together with Mr Manfred Weber, Area General Manager of the Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Some of the children have already gone for their operations and are recovering well.
“Since 1985 the ‘Embrace the Gift of Life’ charity project, which is in line with the corporate philosophy of Shangri-La hospitality, has helped hundreds of seriously-ill children suffering from severe heart ailments,” said Mr Weber.
“The funds are paid directly to the hospitals so that the children can be operated on without delay.”
The funds are raised through the Christmas Charity Tree every year, and to date more than RM3 million has been collected. “This, together with the hotel’s own CSR funds, have enabled us to carry on this noble project,” added Mr Weber.
About 100 children with special needs from three homes – Tasputra Perkim, Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Taman Megah and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Al-Firdausi – were also at the event. The three homes received a cheque of RM5,000 each from the hotel.
Mr Weber also handed duit raya and goodie bags to the children, together with Area Director of Communications Datuk Rosemarie Wee.