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THE SINGAPORE IRELAND FUND INAUGURAL BALL
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21 November 2009
More than 400 guests gathered on Saturday, 21st November at the
inaugural ball of The Singapore Ireland Fund at The St Regis
Hotel. The Fund was launched in 2009 with the goal of
strengthening the already impressive historical connection between
Singapore and Ireland. The Ball was supported by the local Irish
community and organizations as well as many Singaporeans both new
and old friends of Ireland. The theme of the Ball was to celebrate
the 250th anniversary of Guinness founded by the great
philanthropist Arthur Guinness.
The guest of honour was Ms Ho Ching, Patron of the Autism
Association Singapore. Also in attendance the Irish Ambassador to
Singapore Dr. Richard O'Brien, the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore
Her Excellency Zhang Xiao Kang, MP Denise Phua, the Canadian High
Commissioner David Sevigny and the British High Commissioner Paul
Madden.
Stanley Quek, Chairman of The Singapore Ireland welcomed all
guests and in his speech he outlined what the connection between
Singapore and Ireland meant to him. Kingsley Aikins, President &
CEO of The Worldwide Ireland Funds gave a short history of The
Ireland Funds and what areas donations have made a difference. Her
Excellency Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, wished the new Fund
every success in a personal message recorded by video.
But the important focus for the evening was the cause. All the
guests were moved by the speech of Denise Phua and the short video
on the Eden School. The challenges of the students with autism and
the benefit of having baking facilities at the school were
outlined. It was the hope of everyone that having these facilities
will provide dignity, hope, and a future to the students and their
families.
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