Sponsor spreads Christmas magic for disabled pupils
Charity campaign brings Melco Group and Margaret Trench School together for a festive party with extra fun - but no scary clowns
A school on a quiet hillside in East Kowloon became a noisy place of laughter and joy as 300 people gathered for a huge party for pupils, parents and alumni.
Thanks to sponsorship from leisure and entertainment company Melco Group, the scale of the party had grown appreciably. Gifts, games, shows and food all made for an unforgettable day.
"For the past two nights my son couldn't get to sleep until 4am because of the excitement, mostly about the food," said the mother of pupil Lung Kin, who has cerebral palsy.
"I love to eat chicken with Coke," the 19-year-old boy added, with a big smile.
For Belinda Chow, also 19, the gifts and prizes from the games were the big draw. "I like the balloons," said Chow, who has attention deficit disorder.
"It's good to see so many parents around with their children, and that in itself is a great encouragement for all of us who have been alone in taking care of our beloved child," her father said.
Principal Lee Cheuk-hong said there was a party every year, but this year was extra special - thanks in part to a magic show.
"The students were absolutely mesmerised by the magician. I was very impressed," said Lee, a Red Cross veteran of 34 years.
He thanked Operation Santa Claus, the annual fundraising campaign organised by the and RTHK, for making the event possible by connecting the school, one of the campaign's 20 beneficiaries, with Melco Group, a major donor.
"Our company's charity work focuses on youth, environment and education," said Kristy Tsang, Melco Group's corporate communications manager.
"In addition to a HK$150,000 donation, spending a day with school kids with special needs as volunteers conjures up a sense of belonging among us as a team, and that is conducive to the corporate culture," she added.
Pinky Chow, senior officer and one of 10 volunteers to join the group, said extra precautions were taken to ensure that the particular needs of the disabled pupils were taken care of.
"We brought in a magician and Santa Claus but no clown - they can be frightening for these kids," Chow said. "And we prepare the food in ways - such as cutting it up in extra small chunks - so that everyone can enjoy it, including a few South Asians, for whom we prepared special vegetarian dishes.
"When we see them happy, we are happy, and appreciative too for things we could so easily take for granted."
How you can give
- Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com/donate
- Donate at an ATM or any branch of HSBC (account number 502-676299-001 for SCMP Charities Ltd - Operation Santa Claus)
- You can donate with a cheque payable to "SCMP Charities Ltd - Operation Santa Claus" and mail it to: Operation Santa Claus, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, New Territories.
- Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you would like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt to the address above.
- Please call 26808159 or e-mail [email protected] with any inquiries, or visit us online at osc.scmp.com
