By Michelle Lin Sinnathamboo

TUESDAY, April 30, was dubbed a `fun-filled-fund-raising evening' at the Backyard Pub and Restaurant in Taman Sri Hartamas, where patrons got together to raise money for kitchen assistant Hassan to undergo much- needed plastic surgery.

Hassan, 38, suffers from a facial deformity called neuro fibromatosis and has large round bulges all over his face and neck.

To say that a spirit of giving prevailed that night would be putting it mildly.

They paid high prices for bottles of whiskey and champagne which were auctioned (not Dutch style, thank you) - RM300 for a bottle of Chivas Regal, RM150 for a Blue Nun (with gold flakes). The liquor auction brought in more than RM1,000.

"Several of the patrons even paid to dance and sing," said publican Jerry Chong.

"We collected thrice more than what we needed. The response was just overwhelming."

One Backyard regular donated RM1,000 and told Chong to call him if he needed more.

"We even had regulars who couldn't make it calling up to pledge donations," said Chong.

The idea to help Hassan came from Dr Veronica Chelliah who arranged for a plastic surgeon friend to provide his services for a fraction of what it would have cost.

The organising committee comprised Chong, his wife, Joan, Bernard and Karen Khoo, Neubert Ambrose, Monica Tan and Fam Kim Pow, who managed the fun-filled evening with good `live' music by the Jairus Anthony Band and Jarimo, plus games, dancing and auctions.

Even with such `gimmicks' as the pay-to-sing-and-dance, the real spirit manifested itself in two bins which were passed around for the Samaritans to drop in what they wished.

"When we counted the bin donations, the next morning, we had another RM3,600!" said Chong.

"Our target was only RM3,000, but the final tally was thrice the amount... and the money is still coming in.

"I'm getting high just thinking about how much we raised," Chong grinned.

This wasn't the first charity event organised at The Backyard.

Their first drive was to raise funds for the Home of Peace which takes care of children from under-privileged families, a few years ago.

Last year, the gang raised about RM2,000 for the family of a former worker who passed away. Helping people like Hassan gives Chong and his gang great personal pleasure.

Now that they have collected more than what Hassan needs, they will set up a Backyard Charity Fund for people who would find themselves in need.

Pic: Jerry Chong auctions a bottle of whiskey.

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