Children’s Day celebrations came early for some 1,000 children who were treated to a jolly day of fun at The Maritime Experiential Museum, S.E.A Aquarium and a musical performance. The celebrations were part of the ‘Children for Children’ annual charity fundraiser, jointly organised by Singapore’s business daily The Business Times (BT), CHIJ (Kellock) Primary School, and arts organisation The Rice Company Ltd. Children’s Day falls on October 5 this year.

And our Hong Leong Group of companies were right there to witness the joy on every child’s face. Hong Leong Foundation, City Developments Limited (CDL), Hong Leong Holdings (HLHL), Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) and Hong Leong Finance (HLF) donated S$30,000 to the annual fundraising and charity event.

The company representatives at the event were Hong Leong Foundation Governor and CDL Group Chief Strategy Officer Mr Kwek Eik Sheng, HLHL Asst. Sales Manager Mr Jonathan Kek, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel General Manager Mr Cheong Hai Poh, and HLF Vice President, Marketing Services Ms Yet Pek Yeen.

The Guest of Honour was Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development & Second Minister for National Development.

Together with other key sponsors, a total of S$337,793 was raised for the annual charity fundraiser.

Since 2008, ‘Children for Children’ has brought more than 10,000 children under the Ministry of Education's financial assistance scheme to various iconic destinations in Singapore such as The Singapore Flyer, the Singapore Zoo and Universal Studios Singapore to celebrate Children's Day. This year's event was at Resorts World Sentosa.

Funds raised support The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, which has provided more than 16,000 financially disadvantaged children and youth with arts training and performing opportunities since 2004.

Here are some photos from the celebrations.