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THE Penang branch of the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) is holding a charity food fair on May 15 in Prai in a bid to raise RM120,000 to fund its 12-hour ambulance service in Permatang Tinggi.  The fair will be held from 10am to 2pm at the Chai Leng Park multipurpose hall.

State executive councillor Law Choo Kiang said the ambulance service had benefitted residents in central and south Seberang Prai. “The volunteers respond to calls from the police and hospitals to assist during emergencies including road accident victims,” he told a press conference on Sunday.  He added that part of the funds would be used for the training of members in first aid, pre-hospital care and rescue work.

Event organising committee chairman Datuk Lee Hean Guan said visitors to the fair can expect home-cooked food prepared by MRC members and their families. “Among others, food items donated by well-wishers and corporate bodies will also be on sale,” he said. He added the committee would implement the state government’s ‘No Plastic Bag Campaign’ at the event. “We appeal to those coming to the fair to bring their own bags and containers,” he said.

Coupons for the fair are being sold at the MRC chapters on Penang island and mainland at RM20 per booklet.  For details, call the Penang branch at 04-8275678.

1,000 people showed their support for the Malaysian Red Crescent Society when they participated in its Heritage Walk 2009 despite the rain.

The early morning walk through George Town’s inner city started at Esplanade.

Participants on the 4km walk went past Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Lebuh Light, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Armenian and Lebuh Pantai before returning to Esplanade.

MRC Penang branch chairman Datuk B. J. Yeang said the event on Oct 10 was held to raise money for the society’s activities.

“I am very happy with the response because the turnout was good although it was a wet day.

“We almost achieved our RM150,000 collection target. The money collected will be channelled to our administration fund, first aid training programme for disaster relief and running of our 12-hour ambulance ser-vice,” she said.

Participants passing by the Goddess of Mercy Temple at Jlaan Masjid Keling during their 4km walk.

The Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Penang Branch will be organising a heritage walk on Oct 11 to raise funds.

MRC Heritage Walk 2009 event organising chairman Loh Nam Hooi said the walk will encompass the heritage precinct of inner George Town.

“This is all the more meaningful as this year marks the first anniversary of George Town being listed as a Unesco world heritage site. We will start our walk from Esplanade at 8am.

“Participants of the walk will be able to take in the sights and sounds of the heritage areas and at the same time help raise funds for MRC Penang Branch’s many humanitarian projects,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Apart from the walk, a lucky draw will also be held. Participants stand to win numerous prizes including a motorcycle courtesy of Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd.

Naza Talyya Hotels has also sponsored RM6,000 worth of T-shirts for the event.

Loh said participants are required to fill up the registration forms and pay a fee of RM30 by Oct 2.

Those who donate a minimum of RM300 will be entitled to take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

They will also join Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai for the VIP walk.

Co-sponsor and media partner for the event is Kwong Wah Yit Poh.

Registration forms can be obtained at MRC Penang Branch in 26, Jalan Grove, Kwong Wah Yit Poh office in Lebuh Presgrave, MRC Seberang Prai North Chapter in Jalan St Mark, Butterworth or Butterworth Kwong Wah Jit Poh office in Jalan Kampung Benggali.

All cheques are to be made out to ‘MRCS PENANG BRANCH’ with ‘MRC Heritage Walk’ written on the back of the cheque.  For details, please call 04-8275678, 04-2612312, 04-3233323 and 04-3331475.

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It was a hive of activity at Wawasan Open University’s (WOU) main campus on Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah in Penang recently as some 150 students, teachers and workers took part in a fire evacuation exercise.

The tranquility of the morning was rudely interrupted by the shrill fire alarm, alerting the campus community to rush to the nearest emergency exit staircase.

Then 15 firemen in three fire-engines “put out” the fire.

The police and Malaysian Red Crescent Society also rendered help to the firemen from the Perak Road, Bagan Jermal and Beach Street fire stations.

The fire drill was the culmination of the week-long inaugural WOU Safety Week, launched by its vice-chancellor Tan Sri Emeritus Prof D. Gajaraj on May 14.

WOU has also formed its own Emergency Response Team (ERT) and First Aid Team to cater to any crisis which might arise within the campus grounds.

The annual Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Penang branch Flag Day will be held on Sunday 22 March 2009. So, Penangites, be ready with some loose change and be generous to the MRCS members approaching you with their donation tins. The society is aiming to raise RM100,000 or more this Flag Day when its members once again take to the streets of Penang to collect donations from the public.

Organising chairman and MRCS Penang branch vice-chairman Chan Hon Kwong said the society managed to collect almost RM100,000 last year and he was confident that they would reach the RM100,000 target this time. “We believe, to many, RM1 or RM2 is not much. We have a good feeling we can reach our target,” he told reporters at the MRCS Penang branch headquarters at Jalan Grove on Tuesday after the launching of the event by state Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee Chairman Phee Boon Poh.

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MANY people were unable to donate blood due to low hemoglobin count during the blood donation campaign organised by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Island Chapter in Penang on Saturday.

Despite the setback, campaign organizer Mr. Kong Shih Hao said the event was met with a generally good response by the public.  “We targeted the non-Muslim donors to support the campaign since the Muslims are fasting,” he said.

However, he said low haemoglobin count had prevented more from donating.

A doctor who wished to remain anonymous said one of the main factors contributing to low hemoglobin count was unhealthy diet.  “Iron is important for maintaining the hemoglobin level in the body. One has to consume food that is high in iron like spinach, liver and lean red meat. Caffeine should also be taken less as it reduces the absorption of iron from food,” she said.

The event was held to replenish the supply at the Penang Hospital blood bank which is usually low during the Ramadan month.  The campaign, themed Mid-Autumn Ramadan Blood Donation was held at Sunshine Square in Bayan Baru, Penang.

Sales representative Lee Boon Hooi, 31, said he had donated 18 pints of blood since he became a donor in 2002. “It’s all for a good cause and I’m glad that I could help,” he said.

Another sales representative Rahim Jusoh, 42, was also seen donating blood during the lunch hour break.