StarHub ropes in IDD Customers on Charity Initiative; 1% of Cost of All StarHub IDD Calls to be Donated to the Courage Fund
Singapore, 30 April 2003 - StarHub, Singapore’s leading infocommunications service provider, announced today that they will be donating, via the StarHub IDD Charity Fund, one per cent of the cost of all IDD 008 and IDD 018 calls made by StarHub’s customers to the Caring for SARS Caregivers Project. This charity initiative will run from today until 28 May 2003.
"Caregivers are our unsung heroes in the fight against the SARS epidemic. On a daily basis, they battle the unknown and we really want to encourage them in their fight. And we believe that we would be able to do even more when our customers join us. As such, we put a new twist to our StarHub IDD Charity Fund by encouraging our customers to use StarHub’s IDD 008 and IDD 018 services. What may seem to be something as routine as making an IDD call will help in building recognition for caregivers, as one per cent of the cost of these calls will be contributed via the StarHub IDD Charity Fund, to help the caregivers affected by SARS," said Mr Andrew Grenville, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing, Business Markets, StarHub. "We are confident that our customers will respond enthusiastically to our call, as they have always done. Every IDD call counts and we really hope that our customers will join us in this worthy cause."
The Caring for SARS Caregivers is a project by the Singapore Red Cross to honour and to recognize healthcare professionals for their steadfast service, to care for those afflicted by the SARS virus. These healthcare professionals have demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness in their service to humanity. To date, 300,000 peach ribbons have been distributed for the public to wear throughout May 2003, as an outward and visible expression of gratitude and support for the healthcare professionals. A specially commissioned song, entitled "Thru’ Your Eyes" is also currently on sale. Sung by 30 celebrities including politicians, doctors and nurses, proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to the Courage Fund and earmarked for healthcare workers affected by SARS.
Said Lt Gen Winston Choo (Retd), Chairman of the Singapore Red Cross, "The Singapore Red Cross is very pleased that StarHub is participating in the "Caring for SARS Caregivers" project. I am happy to note the creative idea by StarHub to donate a percentage of their IDD 008 and IDD 018 calls through the month of May 2003 to the Courage Fund through the Singapore Red Cross. We hope that more corporate bodies will come forward to join us in recognizing the courageous and selfless efforts of our healthcare workers in combating SARS."
Launched in July 2000, the StarHub IDD Charity Fund has, to date, spearheaded several charity efforts. These include the donation of more than $700,000 worth of medical, electrical and educational equipment, food and basic necessities to the less fortunate in society. The Fund’s objectives were recently expanded to include charity efforts such as fund raising and cash donations.
StarHub staff will also be helping to raise funds by purchasing the CD, as a sign of their unwavering support for the Project. StarHub will continue to seek other innovative ways to help contribute to the Project as well.
What’s more, StarHub has also donated 1,200 mobile phones and 1,200 Green prepaid SIM cards (valued at $18 each) to the National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Alexandra Hospital. Due to the "No Visitor" policy, many may want to use their phones to keep in touch with their loved ones. StarHub hopes that its donation will be able to play a small part in facilitating communications.
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