Organisers of the FCC charity ball have been engaged in a little spat. After securing a record $1.9 million for the Po Leung Kuk scholarship fund, veteran fundraiser Sophia Harilela has quit.
'I resigned because I felt that I was being marginalised. Most of the sponsors were personal contacts and relationships that I have built over the years. I did not agree with having to pass them to someone else to look after ... it was never a case of money.'
But the co-chairman of the FCC'S ball committee, Thomas Crampton, denied there was any politicking and said it was all a matter of money. 'The FCC decided not to pay anyone for fundraising this year. We will keep our promise to sponsors that all money goes to the children.'
He added: 'We are sorry that [Sophia] has decided to leave. We would welcome her, if she decides to come back.'
It's a case of he said, she said. But if these fundraisers help to provide education for children, it's not mandatory to act like them.