News

- Hospice hoping to raise $500,000 though “Tree of Hearts” drive

Some 50 volunteers from Sembcorp Industries brought yuletide cheer to patients at the Assisi Hospice on Monday, at the facility’s annual Christmas party. The utilities and marine group recently adopted the Assisi Hospice and has pledged to be its corporate sponsor for at least the next three years. This Christmas party sponsorship is part of Sembcorp’s broader support for the Assisi Hospice which includes managing and funding the facelift of the hospice’s garden and koi pond.

The Assisi Hospice’s Christmas celebrations almost became a victim of the fallout from the global financial crisis when its sponsor pulled out. Sembcorp Industries found out about the Hospice’s predicament and offered to step in to ensure that the party for residents proceeded as planned.

“We’re delighted that our partnership with Assisi Hospice will help make a difference in the lives of patients. The reality of the current economic environment is bound to impact companies and their available resources.  However at Sembcorp, we remain committed to continue giving back to the community through our volunteering efforts and resources. This Christmas event at the Assisi Hospice will kick off a series of community engagement, volunteering and charity initiatives which we will undertake over 2009, with Assisi and our other community care initiatives, community partnerships and charitable causes,” said Mr. Tang Kin Fei, Group President & CEO, Sembcorp Industries.
 
About half of Sembcorp’s initial donation of close to $58,000 will go towards making the Assisi Hospice garden more user-friendly and shaded so the patients can use it during the day. The refurbishment will include extending the roofing and floor of the existing sheltered space in the garden. The koi pond will also be aesthetically enhanced, so patients will have a therapeutic place to relax. The facelift will make both these areas more wheel-chair friendly.

To commemorate the partnership, a tree planting ceremony was held at the Hospice’s gardens, followed by a Christmas party and tree light-up.  Ms. Ho Ching, Patron of Assisi Hospice,  Mr. Hri Kumar Nair, MP of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Mr. Tang Kin Fei, Group President & CEO, Sembcorp Industries, took part in the festivities together with over 300 guests - patients, their families and friends.

“We are delighted that Sembcorp Industries has decided to partner us as a corporate sponsor and make this Christmas party possible. It means a lot to our patients. For some, this may be their last Christmas, so we want to make sure that they have the best time possible. The Sembcorp volunteers did a great job, and we look forward to working with them on our future initiatives. The newly refurbished koi pond, and garden, once fully redone, will go a long way in helping make our patients more comfortable and give them a beautiful spot where they can relax,” said Mr. Khoo Chow Huat, CEO, Assisi Hospice.

Assisi Hospice cared for about 1192 patients in 2007, of which 122 were children. The patients suffer from cancer or other life-limiting illnesses. The Hospice’s annual projected expenses stand at approximately $6 million, and it depends mostly on public donations to keep it running. The facility is facing a shortfall of $500,000 this year, due to a drop in donations following the economic downturn.  Assisi is hoping their “Tree of Hearts” Christmas Light-up Drive, will help bring in the necessary funds. With a $10 donation, members of the public can light a bulb on the Hospice’s Christmas tree. More information is available at http://www.assisihospice.org.sg.

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For media enquiries please contact:

Sembcorp Industries
FOCK Siu Ling (Ms)
PR Counsel
Group Corporate Relations
DID: +65 6723 3152
Email: [email protected]
 
Priyia PARAMAJOTHI (Ms)
Weber Shandwick
DID: 6825 8064
Email: [email protected]

Assisi Hospice
Geraldine LEE (Ms)
DID: 6347 6467
Email: [email protected]
 
ABOUT SEMBCORP INDUSTRIES

Sembcorp Industries Ltd is a leading utilities and marine group. The Group provides centralised utilities, energy and water to industrial and other customers in Singapore, the United Kingdom, Asia and the Middle East. It is a global leader in marine and offshore engineering and also a provider of environmental and industrial park management services in the region. Sembcorp has total assets of over S$9 billion and employs more than 7,000 employees. Listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange, Sembcorp is a component stock of the Straits Times Index and several MSCI indices.

Note to Editors:

Following a recent company rebrand, please refer to the company as “Sembcorp” (with “S” in upper case and “c” in lower case), or “Sembcorp Industries” in full. Please also note that “Sembcorp” is not an abbreviation of “Sembawang Corporation” but a brandname in itself, and it is therefore incorrect to refer to our company as “Sembawang”, “Sembawang Corporation” or similar.

ABOUT ASSISI HOSPICE

Established in 1969, Assisi Hospice is a recognized charity founded by the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood Catholic Sisters. Our work is very much dependent on public donations to finance our patient care and services. We are here for all, regardless of their financial status, age, race & religion respecting their faith, culture & values. Our Integrated Palliative & Hospice Care Program assures patients of dignity and comfort under our In-Patient, Home Care and Day Centre services for those suffering from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. As a registered charity with IPC status, all donations to Assisi Hospice will receive double the value in tax-deductions. For more information on Assisi Hospice, you can log on to www.assisihospice.org.sg.