On at least one day, it's charitable to be casual in front of the boss

ALL ''suits'' take note: here is your once-a-year chance to shed formality and show some individuality, and all for a good cause - the Community Chest's second annual Dress Casual Day on September 20.

The aim is to raise $8 million, nearly double last year's $4.8 million, according to the Chest's Winnie Sek Wai-yu.

''The hardest part of the campaign was publicising and explaining the concept to organisations we contacted. There was no real prior conception of what the event was all about,'' she said.

Dress Casual Day was launched after Chest board members heard about North American charity days where employees were encouraged by management to come to the office in casual clothes. The idea was to break down the usual employer-employee hierarchies, Ms Sek said.

Over the past three months, chain letters have been written, posters prepared, local personalities contacted and advertisements placed in newspapers.

''Everyone can make a contribution,'' said David Davies, the Chest's corporate contribution programme co-chairman. According to Ms Sek, 375 businesses, schools, government departments and other organisations have signed up so far, exceeding last year's total of 350.