Fischer (third from left) and Dr Siti Hasmah (third from right) officiating the launch of the fund. With them are (from left) Palestine Embassy first counsellor Sofian M.T. Al-Khaldi, Tesco Malaysia Advisory Board chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Abid, Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohamad Amin Jalaluddin and Tesco Malaysia Advisory Board director and Caring Foundation chairman Datuk Dr Malek Hanafiah.
TESCO Malaysia has entered into a charitable effort with partners Universiti Malaya (UM), The Caring Foundation and The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM).
During the launch of the Tesco Cares Jalinan Budi Children’s Fund, the retailer vowed to raise RM1mil to help underprivileged children with regard to their wellbeing and socio-economic development.
Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali opened the event.
Tesco Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Georg Fischer said the RM1mil fund would be shared in three key areas of need – locally, nationally and internationally.
Dr Siti Hasmah with patients of UMMC and 12-year-old Nicholas Yoong (back row, right), who contributed six paintings for auction during the launch of Tesco Cares Jalinan Budi Children’s Fund. Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN
“Locally, we will engage children through our 52 stores across Malaysia, where each store will adopt children and provide them with sustenance and educational care.
“Essentially, we want to bring joy and happiness to all of them.
“Through our 52 stores, we have a wider reach, and we hope to be in touch with about 3,000 children,” he said.
On a national level, Fischer said Tesco Malaysia would work with University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) to help about 60 children battling cancer.
“We want to help bear their cost of treatment, whatever that is needed, and whatever we can provide,” he said, adding that the extent of the aid also depended on help from customers.
Internationally, the retailer will work with the Palestine Embassy to provide Palestinian children in need of prosthetic limbs.
“We will invite those who need our help and take care of them during their course of treatment in the hospital until their conditions improve,” said Fischer, hoping to help about 15 to 20 children in the area.
To kick off the fundraiser, Tesco Malaysia committed an initial RM500,000 contribution and hoped to raise the balance through fundraising activities in the following months, such as art auctions, Tesco’s annual Walk for Life as well as collection from coin boxes at checkout counters in its stores.
Fischer had high hopes of collecting the sum in one year.
The programme also saw the renewed commitment between the retailer and UMMC.
The two bodies had previously engaged in a fundraising project, which concluded ahead of its three-year schedule, garnering about RM1.04mil in donations to help less fortunate children with leukaemia gain access to treatment and medication.
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