XN000022-1977-10-19 — Page 11

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977

TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND TOPS $6M MARK

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DONATIONS TO THE TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND, WHICH WAS SET UP EARLIER THIS YEAR, HAS NOW EXCEEDED $6 MILLION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WHO ACTS AS THE TRUSTEE OF THE FUND, SAID TODAY ABOUT 115 FAMILIES HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE FUND SINCE IT STARTED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE NEEDY SIX MONTHS AGO.

PAYMENTS FROM THE FUND, AVERAGING AT $1,000 PER FAMILY, WERE PROMPTLY MADE TO THE BENEFICIARIES TO MEET HARDSHIP CAUSED BY CRISES OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

MOST OF THE PAYMENTS WERE FOR FAMILIES TO COPE WITH DIFFICULTIES SUCH AS TO COVER BURIAL EXPENSES ARISING FROM THE DEATH OF THE BREADWINNERS. OTHER PAYMENTS WERE FOR EXPENSES FOR NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN CONNECTION WITH CONVALESCENCE, FOR MEETING REMOVAL EXPENSES TO NEW ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, AND FOR PAYING OFF DEBT INCURRED BECAUSE OF CHRONIC ILLNESS.

+AMONG THE BENEFICIARIES, SOME OF THEM APPLIED FOR ASSISTANCE TO THE DEPARTMENT DIRECT, WHILE OTHERS WERE REFERRED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, THE PO LEUNG KUK, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SIR SHIU KIN TANG AND MR. HO TIM EACH DONATED $1 MILLION TO SET UP THE FUND IN FEBRUARY. A COMMITTEE WAS LATER FORMED TO MAKE RULES GOVERNING CONDITIONS OF PAYMENT, RANGE OF ASSISTANCE, INVESTMENTS AND DISPOSAL OF TRUST PROPERTIES.

APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND CAN BE MADE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, THE PO LEUNG KUK OR ANY DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

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