LKCMedicine’s first charity fair raises awareness and funds for autism

By Nicole Lim, Senior Assistant Director, Communications and External Relations

Fashion, food and fun aplenty awaited the 500 people who headed down to LKCMedicine's first charity fair at the Clinical Sciences Building's open Plaza. Supported by the OneLKC Committee, LKCMedicine staff and students, together with more than 15 charity-minded vendors, interest groups and healthcare partners, raised awareness of autism and more than $6,000 for St. Andrew's Autism Centre.

But the day was not just about having fun and raising funds for charity. Embracing the School's ethos of humanity in medicine, the Family Fair for Autism was also a day to reach out to those living with autism and their families, and engage the wider public to raise awareness about the developmental disorder. Through talks by healthcare professionals and people living with autism, visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the condition and how to support those living with it.

The day could not have gotten off to a better start with rays of brilliant sunshine welcoming the first families coming to the fair. While mums and dads shopped for pre-loved and new books, soaps and clothes or indulged in a revitalising massage offered by masseuses from the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped, the younger visitors were busy running between different activities, such as making terrariums and slime, drawing comics, jumping on a bouncy castle, playing games and having their face painted.

For health-conscious visitors, the booths of the Singapore Nurses Association (Dermatology Chapter) and the Association of Diabetes Educators offered mini health screenings.

When tummies rumbled, a smorgasbord of sweet and savoury treats was on offer, from popcorn and cotton candy, cupcakes and sea salt nutella tarts to nasi lemak, beef nachos, and artisanal breads. Thirst-quenching, freshly pressed juices and sinful ice-cream-topped butter beer were also top sellers.

From 11am onwards, the Plaza was filled with the melodious voices of children from the Madison Academy of Music, who hushed the crowds with their renditions of popular hit songs, such as The Greatest Showman movie show tune "This is Me".

Throughout the morning, spirits were high and business was brisk as families streamed in for the talks or just to browse the many stalls in the sunshine. The weather, however, was too good to last, and by the afternoon, rain lashed the outdoor stalls. Despite this dampener, visitors and stallholders alike put on a brave face, and by closing time, the last cupcakes had been sold.

All that was left was to tally the funds raised and begin planning the 2019 instalment.