Caldecott’s Most Prominent Couple to Join Celebrities to Raise Funds and Increase Acceptance of People with Disabilities

Singapore, 23 February 2011 – For the first time, MediaCorp artistes Fann Wong and Christopher Lee will be sharing a stage to perform a sand dance. This sort of performance has never before been seen on national TV.

Theirs is one of a string of performances put up by local and international artistes at The SPD Charity Show 2011. The show is Society for the Physically Disabled’s (SPD) third and will be graced by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and broadcast ‘live’ over MediaCorp Channel 8 at 7pm on 13 March 2011, and repeated at 3.30pm on 20 March 2011.

SPD hopes to raise S$3.5 million through the show to help its 3,000 clients through its various programmes and services, and to increase understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities.

A previous survey done by SPD in 2009 showed a lack of understanding and acceptance in the public for people with disabilities. The show is one of a series of activities under its ‘I Accept’ campaign started since August 2010 to create awareness of the challenges people with disabilities face and to encourage acceptance of people with disabilities as equal members in the workplace, school and the community.

“Through The SPD Charity Show, we hope to be able to change mindsets with our message of acceptance and to raise the funds that we need to help people with disabilities. Our ultimate goal is to have people with disabilities fully integrated and included in our society. We hope that members of the public will be moved to give their support,” said Ms Chia Yong Yong, president of the Society for the Physically Disabled.

Support from the community enables the 46-year-old charity to provide its programmes and services.

Besides Fann and Christopher, The SPD Charity Show boasts a line-up of other local artistes including screen favourites Dai Yang Tian, Xiang Yun, Hong Hui Fang and Lin Mei Jiao, and newcomers such as Sora Ma and James Seah. Based on the theme of ‘Music for Love’, the show will be hosted by Guo Liang and Dasmond Koh.

Eight-year-old renowned Korean child pianist with visual-impairment Yoo Ee Yun, who tugged at heartstrings with a heartrending performance at the last SPD Charity Show, will be performing again. Joining her from the international arena are Fish Leong and father-son team Xiao Bin Bin and Xiao Xiao Bin.

A special item will see audience participation in stringing together cards to form a large picture, to the accompaniment of Fish Leong performing a ballad.

An external event hosted by Dasmond Koh and held at NEX Shopping Mall will see celebrities such as Bryan Wong and Elvin Ng lead other supporters in taking turns to clock the longest distance run on treadmill for three hours.

“Microsoft Singapore has been working in collaboration with SPD to help improve the lives of people with disabilities since 2006 with technology and training. We share SPD’s belief in unleashing the potential of people with disabilities and hope through our partnership to equip them with what they need to make the most of their abilities. We are proud to be a part of The SPD Charity Show once again and hope the community will also give its support for people with disabilities,” said Ms Jessica Tan, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore. Since 2006, Microsoft has raised over S$1.3 million for SPD and has committed to raise another S$1 million in the next four years.

Those who wish to make their donations can call:

1900-112 0303 ($5 donation)

1900-112 1313 ($15 donation)

1900-112 2323 ($30 donation)

1900-112 3333 (100 donation)

An administrative fee of $0.21 applies to all calls. Callers must be 18 years old and above, or seek parental consent before calling. Donation hotlines are open till 23 March 2011.