Singapore, 15 June 2009 – Yeo Jie Wee is a graphic design trainee at the Society for the Physically Disabled’s IT Apprenticeship Programme (ITAP). The 28-year-old has always dreamed about having designs which he creates on the computer to be made commercially available to the mass market. Jie Wee can now boldly say that his dream has materialised and he can even sleep on it.

From now till December 2010, Aussino Home Fashions and the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) are collaborating in the ‘Making Dreams Possible’ campaign to raise $100,000 in aid of SPD’s programmes and services. This year-long campaign will start off with a charity sale of a series of specially-designed bed linens, polar fleece, bath towels, bath mats, cushion covers, mugs and carriers that cost between $5 to $10 each. They will be available at all Aussino outlets from 15 June 2009 onwards while stocks last. Another four more designs will be incorporated into Aussino’s annual fall/winter flyer towards the end of the year.

The designs that are adapted into the charity collection were chosen by Aussino Fashions from more than 20 samples sent in by seven designers with physical disabilities from SPD. They were created specifically based on the themes of Hearts, Fruits, Leaves and Home.

Inspired by the love story of a good friend he has lost contact with for a few years, Jie Wee created ‘Love is in the Air’ under the ‘Hearts’ range. “”She had met her now husband over the Internet and the phrase ‘Love is in the Air’ is perpetually on her online messenger’s nickname ever since. I’ve always found her story fascinating as I never thought it possible to find a lifelong partner over the internet. So when the theme of ‘Hearts’ came up, I immediately linked it to her love story. Since we have lost contact for so long, maybe now she can look for me upon seeing my creations!”” he laughs.

The three designers whose artworks were chosen for the launch of the project will be presented with a full set of their designed items by the Creative Director of Aussino Fashions, Ms Sarah Seow, on 15 June, 2.30pm at Aussino Paragon.

This project adds another feather to the caps of the designers in SPD’s IT programmes. SPD offers training opportunities in IT for people with disabilities and internship and employment opportunities thereafter for those who possess the necessary skills. Royson Poh, the assistant director of SPD’s Vocational Training Programme, says “”The Aussino project has provided our trainees with an invaluable opportunity to work with design professionals from the industry. We hope that more organisations can partner us in providing similar opportunities for our trainees.””

Those interested about the campaign can find out more at Aussino’s website www.aussino.com or visit any Aussino outlets.