Good causes benefit from the offbeat look

THE countdown is on: only nine more days until the second annual Community Chest Dress Casual Day. Nine more days for companies to get into the spirit and help raise funds for charity. Nine more days for employees to think of outrageously casual clothing to wear in aid of a good cause.

Although a formidable task, this year's fund-raiser has been considerably easier to organise than the previous year's, said Winnie Sek Wai-yu, senior manager of campaign events at the Community Chest.

'Most people are now familiar, or have at least heard about the event from last year, although they may not be aware of the logistics,' she said.

That prominent personalities, such as former Inchcape Pacific chairman Paul Cheng Ming-fun, have emerged to offer their support has also helped spread the message.

Inchcape Pacific participated in last year's inaugural event in a big way. Employees from various departmental groups or 'units' competed to raise the most funds on a per capita basis. A prize was awarded to the group which raised the most money.

This year, employees at the Union Insurance Society of Hong Kong will be given a $200 allowance to buy T-shirts which they will then decorate. A prize will be awarded for the best creation, said managing director Steve Moffatt.

At the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, management is not content just to allow patrons to wear jeans into the Mandarin Grill like last year.

'This year, we've gone a step further by allowing non-uniformed staff participating in Dress Casual Day to dress casually,' said a spokesman.

Judging from the response so far, Ms Sek said, the Community Chest is optimistic it can double last year's participation levels to reach its projected target of $8 million.

Since last Friday, more than 600 organisations have registered to participate.