Groundbreaking Ceremony for Home for Handicapped & Mentally Disabled Children in Banting by Lion-Parkson Foundation

Banting, Selangor, 30 October 2010 - The Lion Group once again fulfilled its role as a caring corporate citizen with its Lion-Parkson Foundation undertaking to construct a home for handicapped and mentally disabled children in Banting, Selangor. The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the home to be built on a 4.17 acres piece of land contributed by the Lion Group, was officiated by Lion-Parkson Foundation Chairman, Puan Sri Chelsia Cheng; Chairman of Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Association Johor Bahru, Tuan Haji Mohd Farid Bin Dato’ O/K Haji Hassan, and Lion Group Chairman & CEO, Tan Sri William Cheng; Lion-Parkson Foundation Trustee and Lion Group Director, Mr CS Tang; and Vice-President of Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Association Johor Bahru, Mr S. Jeevah, today.

The Lion-Parkson Foundation is building this home for the special children who are now staying in rented premises in Ampang Jaya, which is a branch of the Handicapped & Mentally Disabled Children Association Johor Bahru. The home in Banting will be built in 2 phases; with the 1st phase to provide accommodation, training and recreational facilities for 110 children. This will accommodate the children from the Ampang Jaya centre as well as children from other centres. Under phase 2, additional blocks including an old folks home and orphanage will be put up. This will add another 109 beds making a total of 219 beds for the special children, 96 beds for senior citizens and 96 beds for orphans.

The 1st phase will cost about RM3.5 million for the construction plus equipment and facilities, not including land which is donated by The Lion Group, and is expected to be completed by the middle of 2012. The initial funds for this 1st phase came from a series of TV programs in 2008 and the Million Dollar Dance Grand Finale Charity Show in February 2009, both produced by Puan Sri Chelsia Cheng, which raised RM1.9 million. In view of the cost involved, additional fundraising will be carried out for the balance required.

The idea to build this home for special children came about after a visit by Puan Sri Cheng to a similar centre a few years ago. Puan Sri Cheng said at the groundbreaking, “I was very moved to see the children in the centre and wanted to do something for them. Hence I set myself the challenge to raise funds to help build a home with learning facilities for the children to pick up some skills. I am touched by the kind support and generosity of everyone who contributed to the fundraising drive to help make the home a reality.”

The Lion-Parkson Foundation was launched in 1990 to administer and disburse funds for various needs such as education, charity and scientific research. Todate, the Foundation has contributed a total of RM19.6 million towards education in the form of scholarships and interest-free educational loans, and other charitable causes. In addition to this, the Lion Group has also established the Lion Group Medical Assistance Fund in 1996 to provide financial assistance to the less fortunate who require medical treatment. Todate, the total amount sponsored by the Fund for medical treatment and purchase of medical equipment such as dialysis machines, is approximately RM5 million.

For further information, please contact Ms Quah Le Ching, Corporate Communications Department at tel no. 03-21420155 ext 2505 or fax no. 03-21428409.