Retailers raise funds in support of single mums hit by pandemic

Tay (fifth from right) at the launch of MRCA’s ‘Love Touches Lives’ charity project in aid of single mothers.

A SURVEY by the Selangor Women Empowerment Institute showed that a majority of single mothers earn less than RM3,000 a month, while 40% were forced to take unpaid leave or close their businesses during the movement control order period.

With this in mind, the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) launched the “Love Touches Lives” charity project until Sept 30 to raise funds for single mothers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Love Touches Lives” targets single mothers in need of support, regardless of race or religion.

“We feel that it is our social responsibility as an association to give back to society, ” MRCA president and project organising chairperson Shirley Tay said.

“Through this charity project, MRCA hopes to rekindle the spirit of charity in the hearts of Malaysians, ” she said.

The MRCA Branding Education Charity Foundation was established in 2010 and over the past five years, the foundation has contributed over RM1mil to many charitable causes.

MRCA aims to raise RM100,000 for “Love Touches Lives”.

Interested parties can donate a minimum of RM100 through https://bit.ly/32YeRBp while a higher amount would enable the association to do more.

Recipients from six organisations are the beneficiaries: Great Heart Charity Association, Kassim Chin Humanity Foundation, Persatuan Ibu Tunggal Spring Malaysia, Association of Social Services and Community Development of Gombak District, Selangor, Persatuan Wanita & Ibu Tunggal Nur Iman KL & Selangor and Women of Will

Meanwhile, MRCA recently launched its women’s division headed by the association’s treasurer-general Datuk Winnie Lim.

In line with its tagline “Empower Women, Build Nation”, this division aims to promote and advance the personal and professional development of women in the MRCA.

It also looks to equip female entrepreneurs with knowledge of having the right skills, information and training to expand and develop their businesses.

For details, call 03-5882 4333 (MRCA secretariat) or email [e-mail]