ST School Pocket Money Fund gets US$20k from AT&T

UNITED States telephone services provider AT&T has donated US$20,000 (S$28,800) to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

The money will go towards helping more than 9,000 schoolchildren from low-income families being supported by the fund.

This is the second time AT&T has contributed to the fund. In February last year, the company also donated US$20,000.

'The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund is an admirable effort for supporting children with their most basic needs so that they can focus on their education,' said Mr Collis Loh, country general manager of AT&T Singapore. 'We are deeply honoured to contribute to the Singapore community and to be part of this initiative.'

Under the ST School Pocket Money Fund, primary school pupils receive $45 a month and secondary school students receive $80, as pocket money.

The money assists students with buying food at school, paying for bus fares, and buying books and stationery.

Mr Peter Khoo, organising chairman of the fund, received AT&T's donation on Dec 19.

'We are delighted to have AT&T's ongoing support for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund,' he said.

'Over the past few years, the number of beneficiaries has increased significantly.

'This project cannot be possible without the help of socially responsible companies such as AT&T.'

The fund is still half a million dollars short of the $4.4 million needed to help its beneficiaries this year.

Cheque donations can be made to the 'School Pocket Money Fund' and sent to the Singapore Press Holdings at 1000 Toa Payoh North, Singapore 318994.

YEN FENG