Hi folks,

Attached is the latest RFF update.

Topics covered:

1.  Why I won't be running this year's stanchart marathon

2.  RFF activities and financial statement

The 6^th annual Maximize Your Potential (MYP) award ceremony is taking place on 29^th Aug (Sat), 10 am.

Venue: Geylang Methodist Primary School, Level 3 Conference Room.

Come and meet the 20 award recipients you've sponsored.

Please email or SMS me to RSVP.

Cheers,

aL

1.  Why I won't be running this year's stanchart marathon

Yep, what I feared has come true.

I won't be taking part in this year's stanchart marathon.

Old injuries are working up.

I'm currently undergoing physiotherapy to manage a right lumbar (lower back) nerve impingement.

The condition is like a "mini" slipped disc condition caused by inter-vertebral disc degeneration (due to age, seriously, and previous injury).

The pain starts at the lower back and runs all the way down to my right calf (that's where the nerve runs).

The pain is sharp and throbbing and physio is helping me manage the pain and recover.

It's a long road to recovery (probably 4-6 months).

Whether I'll be able to run long distance again (ie more than 10 km) will depend on how I recover.

In the meantime, I'm discussing with friends alternate ways for RFF can raise funds for the needy..

2.  RFF Activities

In RFF's 30th June 2008 update, the accounts were closed with

(a)  RFF funds: $37,700

(b)  D'joy fund: $9,514.10 ($13,390 was raised and $3,875.90 was spent on teaching aids and eye check up for a student)

a.  Activities @ D'Joy Children's Centre

As shared previously, RFF undertook the challenge to upgrade the infrastructure and facilities @ D'Joy.

My friends at Lend Lease Singapore supported this effort (through their community initiatives) in 4Q 2008.

Led by Jerry O' Sullivan, Lend Lease and its sponsors upgraded the infrastructure for a significant portion of D'Joy: Painting, piping, ceiling boards and air-conditioning.

The quantum of the pro-bono work exceeded $15k.

Following Lend Lease's generous contribution, I worked with D'Joy to complete other upgrading projects (classrooms, kitchen, general admin office)

A total of $10,295.25 was spent (cheque was issued in March 2009.  Details are available if you need them).

With these expenses, the $13,390 raised specifically for D'Joy was depleted and the shortfall was covered from the main RFF funds.

Note: In Jan 09, RFF sponsored $44 for another eye check-up for a D'Joy student.

b. Sembawang  Primary School (SPS)

As per my previous update, $6,000 was donated to help needy students and $1,500 for the a drop-in centre at SPS

c. Geylang Old People's Home

You'd recall RFF upgraded one ward at the home (new medical beds).

The administrator called to ask if I could help sponsor repair fees for its old laundry dryer.

It is used for old folks' clothes living at the home.

Upon further investigation, the machine was beyond repair.

So RFF sponsored a new $1,050 GE dryer for the home.

3.  RFF Accounts

With the closure of the EDB chapter and funds fully disbursed, I took the opportunity to open a dedicated bank account for RFF @ DBS on 29^th Dec 2008.

As of 1^st Dec 2008, the balance of RFF funds were $38,664.10.

I rounded up the number to $39,000 on 29^th Dec 2008

Expenses:

D'joy upgrading                                       $10295.25

Eye check-up                                         $44

Bank account charges (@$2/month)         $14

Interest earned @ DBS: $46.10

Balance in bank account at 16 August 2009: $28,692.85

Note: With the $7,500 donation to SPS in 2008, there is a double tax deduction for it from my income tax.  I will confirm the financial benefit of the tax credit and cycle it back to RFF funds.

End of note.