11 September 2007
RM30,000 raised for children’s charity
THE Watson’s Personal Care Stores Sdn Bhd has presented RM30,000 to the Ronald McDonald Children's Charities fund of Malaysia (RMCC) as part of its My Watson, My Friend, My Charity Campaign recently.
The presentation was held at the Ronald McDonald House-Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (RMH-HUKM) in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
The campaign, which ran from Nov 27 2006 to Jan 2 2007, raised the money through placing donation boxes in 100 Watsons and McDonald's outlets throughout Malaysia as well as from the sale of 100 limited edition Winnie the Pooh plush toys at Watson's in Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur.
Watsons Malaysia general manager Neil Maffey said that it was a great honour and joy to work with an esteemed charity like RMCC.
“Corporate citizens like us should play an active role in developing a caring and thoughtful society. Our Corporate Social Responsibility is continuous, as we have recently lent support to other charitable organisations like the National Cancer Council (MAKNA),” he said.
Timely support: Maffey (left) presenting a mock cheque to Fadillah with (from right) Siti Norseha Hasnah and Choong Hui Rou.
“The campaign will continue to grow and we hope to make a difference in the community by reaching out to those in greatest need.”
RMCC president Fadillah Yakin said the money raised was an outstanding achievement for the newly renovated RMH-HUKM.
“We have added new features like a meeting room, play room and air-conditioners, and the money we received today will be used for maintaining the overall house,” she said.
“So far we have spent about RM800,000 on renovations. The money came from the wife of Ronald McDonald's founder, Joan Kroc, who left her estate to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) for the benefit of the all the RMH,” Fadillah said.
“The RHM here is the only one in South-East Asia and there are bout 250 RMH around the world. We open our house to underprivileged, low-income families and out-of-towners.”
She said that families could use the house while seeking treatment for their loved ones by paying only RM5 per day.
Three-year-old Siti Norseha Norashikin has been staying at the RMH for the past two weeks while undergoing treatment at HUKM.
Her mother Hasnah Wahid, 28, and father Norashikin Md Jon from Malacca, are happy to be staying there.
“My daughter has eye cancer and we have been seeking treatment for a month now. She has undergone two chemotherapy sessions and currently is having constant check-ups,” Hasnah said.
A boon for patients' families: Newly renovated Ronald McDonald House-Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (RMHHUKM) offers a place for the family to stay while their loved one undergoes treatment.
“The house is convenient for the three of us and our daughter is happy,” she said.
To Nyo Say Yoke from Temerloh, the house is very nice and her six-year-old daughter Choong Hui Rou likes it at the RHM.
“My daughter has had leukaemia for about a year. She is seeking treatment now and is gradually improving,” Nyo said.
“The doctors and people here are helpful but the cost of her treatment is getting expensive.”
There are 19 rooms at the RHM and it is able to accommodate as many as 12 people or as few as four people at one time. Priority is given to families who are not from Kuala Lumpur and RM5 is charged per room daily.
Source by: The Star, September 11, 2007