Prestigious Designers Tom Abang Saufi & Melinda Looi Raise RM35,000 To Create Baju Raya For Needy Children

By Edleena Sephia  •  in News
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Melinda Looi & Tom Abang Saufi. Source: Melinda Looi’s Instagram, Boro & The Edge

As we approach the festive season of Aidilfitri, many are starting on their Hari Raya preparations which means designers are spending their time this month to complete Baju Raya orders.

However this year, local designers Datuk Tom Abang Saufi and Melinda Looi are taking time off their busy schedules to contribute to a charitable cause by teaming up Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) to produce at least 1,000 Baju Raya.

The prestigious designers teamed up with MRCS to make 1,000 Raya clothes for underprivileged children through a crowdfunding initiative with each outfit costing RM50.

According to Malay Mail, Looi and Tom are designing baju kurung and Baju Melayu which MRCS will then distribute to four orphanages in the Klang Valley along with three more in Terengganu, Perlis and Melaka respectively.

Source: Malaysian Red Crescent Instagram

Since the first week of April, a total of RM35,000 has been raised, which equates to 700 clothes.

While this marks the first collaboration between the two designers and MRCS, it is not the first time MCRS has helped the unfortunate for Raya.

“For previous festivities, we would usually give food packets, so for this Raya, we chose to give the little ones a fresh set of new clothes,” MRCS national executive board member Suhana Sidik revealed to Malay Mail.

Juggling her time and her own work, Looi was more than happy to be a part of the initiative. “No matter how busy I am, I go all out for charity work especially if the clothes can bring a smile to a child,” she said.

Source: Melinda Looi Instagram

With the help of a local factory, Saufi said that they are able to handle the rush and get the work under control.

“Being in the fashion industry for almost 35 years, I have learned to work under pressure within a short period of time. I’m used to it already,” Saufi told Malay Mail.

Source: The Edge/National Art Gallery

If you’re interested to contribute to the crowdfunding, you can donate here.

The donations for the Hari Raya clothes can also be made via bank transfer to MRCS CIMB Account Number: 8001581667 and labelled ‘Baju Raya for Ramadan’. 

Official tax-exemption receipts will be issued for all contributions towards this appeal. Please email [email protected] for further information.

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