The British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) has presented the UNICEF Nepal Earthquake Children’s Appeal with a cheque for MYR80,000 (Eighty Thousand Ringgit) following its 11th annual rugby charity dinner. The dinner was hosted by the five-star Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on 17 June, and was attended by 400 VIP and rugby-mad guests.
The highlights of the dinner were the charity auction of top rugby memorabilia and unique prizes, as well as speeches by rugby legends from the UK, New Zealand and Ireland. The cheque was presented to UNICEF Malaysia Chief of Fundraising and Partnerships, Richard Beighton. He mentioned, “The devastation caused by the earthquake means that UNICEF’s response in Nepal has been on a huge scale.
The very generous support of the BMCC and the many people and organisations who attended the event will fund a major part of our rebuilding programme and impact the lives of thousands of children.” Andrew Sill, BMCC Chairman, said: “The BMCC Charity Rugby Event is now in its 11th year and we are glad that we can keep making a difference in young people’s lives. Rugby is about working together, respecting each other and helping out when it is needed. This is especially true whether it is a tragic global event, or the development of grassroots rugby in Malaysia. We look forward to continuing the strong tradition, and want to thank our sponsors for their generosity, as well as the rugby fans who have supported us so well.”
This year’s Title Sponsors, were The Royal Bank of Scotland and British Airways. They were joined by event partners Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Milawa, Expatriate Lifestyle, FR Events, Guinness Anchor Berhad, and Truefitt & Hill. Tokens of appreciation were awarded to British Airways, Shangri-La Hotel, Expatriate Lifestyle and KL Saracens, one of the city’s best-known rugby clubs.
As well as the rugby dinner, the BMCC organised an action-packed Coaching Clinic for young Malaysian players at the Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor. Organised in conjunction with KL Saracens, the players, ranging in ages from 6 to 14, were given a masterclass on tackling and passing. Leading the Clinic alongside the regular coaches were Brian Moore, former Harlequins, England and British Lions player, and now a noted author and commentator; Andrew Mehrtens,former Canterbury and New Zealand All Blacks player; and Alan Quinlan, a former Munster and Ireland international.
Now in its 11th year, the Dinner has raised more than MYR1.3 million for good causes, and has supported both Malaysian and regional charities. Beneficiaries have included the Dyslexia Association of Malaysia, SPCA, Rumah Bangsa Ria, Rumah Wawasan Manjung, Children’s Wish Society, Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, Shelter Home For Children, Agathians Shelter, Women’s Aid Organisation, National Cancer Society Breast Cancer Programme, National Stroke Association, Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Taman Megah, Living with HIV/AIDS, Seeing Is Believing, and Financial Literacy Programmes; Persatuan Keluarga Orang-Orang Bermasalah Pembelajaran, Prudential Welfare Home and Sanctuary Care Centre.
