Shell has raised RM 735,000 for underprivileged children in its recent ‘Balik Kampung’ charity drive. Running for the second consecutive year with additional contributions from retailers, the campaign saw Shell donating 1 sen (RM0.01) for every litre of fuel purchased at its stations nationwide between1-3 July 2016.
“We are grateful that many Malaysian motorists have turned their journeys into blessings for children in need. This simple act of filling up will go a long way in helping these children,” said Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn. Bhd. and Shell Timur Sdn. Bhd.
The funds raised via the support from Shell’s customers, retailers, and business partners during this campaign will be channeled to six selected charitable organisations. Two beneficiaries have a focus on underprivileged children, and they plan to use the funds for development programmes such as leadership camps, computer classes, and cooking classes. The other four beneficiaries are focused on helping children with learning disabilities, and their funds will be used to support programmes that improve children’s communication skills and sensory processing such as music therapy, arts classes, as well as sensory and motor skills training.
Datuk Azman adds, “Shell celebrates its 125th anniversary in Malaysia and we wanted to do something special to commemorate the occasion. We believe in giving back to society and fuelling progress for a better tomorrow, and we recognise one of the key areas requiring immediate attention is children with special needs. We wanted to assist the community by enhancing the support programmes available to these children.”
Shell’s charity drive last year culminated in an inspiring success story of one of the beneficiaries. The funds allowed Zulkifli Mohammad, a student with disabilities at one of the charity homes, to take swimming lessons which eventually enabled him to be selected to represent his state at the recent SUKOM 2016.
“I didn’t know what I was good at, until I was given a chance to take swimming lessons which helped me unleash my capabilities. Swimming could be my future career, and a chance for me to move forward in life,” shared Zulkifli Mohammad.
