Singapore's Kim Lim and Lin Ching-hsia join other celebs in fight against coronavirus

When Singaporean socialite Kim Lim spoke to fellow volunteers from a local charity group, she was dismayed by the number of scammers using the coronavirus outbreak to exploit others.

Several volunteers had ordered hand sanitisers and masks online only to receive packages of "liquids with no anti-bacterial functions" and "pieces of paper".

As Lim knew that senior citizens were especially vulnerable to illness yet may not be able to obtain such protective items, she began thinking of ways to help.

The 28-year-old managed to secure some 1,000 hand sanitisers from suppliers of her healthcare company Illumia Medical and Therapeutics.

She gathered a team of around 30 staff members and close friends to pack the hand sanitisers with wet wipes, Dettol soap bottles, biscuits and a pamphlet containing useful information on the coronavirus and hygiene tips.

They rose early on Sunday (Feb 23) to distribute the packages to senior citizens living in the south and eastern parts of Singapore, covering about 900 Housing Board units in neighbourhoods such as Redhill, Telok Blangah and Jalan Besar, from 7am to 6pm.

"Most were appreciative and happy to see a friendly face," said Ms Lim, adding that she was just glad to be doing something for the elderly, whom she has a "soft spot" for.

For more than 15 years, she has volunteered with different organisations to distribute food hampers and other essentials to them every few months.

"Usually, we ask charity groups what they need most before going, and visit the units they identify for us," said Ms Lim. As a precautionary measure, the distribution was "contactless", with the volunteers geared up in safety goggles, masks and gloves.

Take a look at the Asian celebrities who are doing their part to help with the Coronavirus outbreak in Singapore, South Korea and China.

Son Ye-Jin

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In light of the intensifying coronavirus situation in South Korea, where the number of cases has spiked to over 2,000, celebrities are helping to fight the outbreak.

According to South Korean news reports, actress Son Ye-jin of Crash Landing On You fame donated 100 million won (S$115,000) to Community Chest of Korea's Daegu branch.

Son was born and raised in Daegu, the hardest-hit city in South Korea with the most number of infections and the epicentre of the country's outbreak.

Lin Ching-hsia

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Retired Taiwanese actress Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia has joined the long line of celebrities doing their part to fight the coronavirus.

According to China Central Television, the 65-year-old donated 2,000 pairs of medical gloves to the Tongji Hospital in Wuhan in February. The Chinese city of Wuhan is the epicentre of the outbreak, which has spread to more than 100 countries.

Lin has also sent a handwritten letter to encourage the medical workers. She wrote: "Your battle gear is the hazmat suit, your helmet is the face mask and your battlefield is the hospital. The enemy is the coronavirus, which is silent, colourless, odourless and difficult to guard against.

"We know, we understand, we feel pained and we cry. I just want to tell all of you that you are not alone, and that there are numerous people at the backline who care, support and pray for you."

Lin then urged medical workers to stay safe and healthy, and hoped they would return home soon to reunite with their families.

According to China Times, there are also other hospitals in Wuhan which have received donated items from Lin. A fan of hers was reportedly so inspired by her letter that she applied to help out at a hospital in Wuhan.

Song Joong-ki

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Actor Song Joong-ki and comedian and variety show host Yoo Jae-suk each gave 100 million won to Hope Bridge-Korea Disaster Relief Association.

Gong Yoo

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Gong Yoo, the star of zombie film Train To Busan (2016) and hit K- drama Goblin (2016), has also donated 100 million won to the Community Chest under his real name, Gong Ji-cheol. The 40-year-old has reportedly asked for his donation to be used to support medical staff and low-income families affected by the outbreak.

Suzy Bae

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Singer-actress Suzy Bae and actress Kim Go-eun each contributed 100 million won to non-governmental organisation Good Neighbours.

Lee Byung-hun

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Actor Lee Byung-hun, who is known for his role in Hollywood movie G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) and recently starred in the Korean political film The Man Standing Next, donated 100 million won to the Community Chest of Korea.

"I deeply sympathise with the seriousness of… the Covid-19 epidemic, so I decided to donate in the hope that everyone will contribute," the 49-year-old was quoted as saying by South Korean media outlet Osen.

Bong Joon-ho

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Oscar-winning Parasite director Bong Joon-ho gave 100 million won to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.

The association said it would use the funds to purchase face masks and hand sanitisers, which are currently in short supply, for the city's residents.

Bong was born in Daegu and moved to Seoul when he was in third grade.

Suga

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Rapper Suga of globally popular boyband BTS gave 100 million won to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.

The association said it would use the funds to purchase face masks and hand sanitisers, which are currently in short supply, for the city's residents.

Suga, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, is a Daegu native.

IU

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Singer-songwriter IU also donated 100 million won each to non-profit organisation Good Neighbours and the Korean Medical Association.

B.I

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Rapper B.I, the former leader of boy band iKon, donated 100,000 masks as they have become one of the most sought-after items in the country.

Rui En

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Other celebrities like homegrown actress Rui En have also tried to do their part.

Last week, she mobilised her fanclub RBKD to send 2,150 care packages to healthcare workers in Singapore, thanking them for their efforts to fight the virus.

The packages included bottles of water, muesli bars, hand cream, gel pads for their feet, and revitalising face and eye masks.

The items cost $88,000 in total and were sponsored by brands like cosmetics maker L'Oreal Paris Singapore and Kyusoku Jikan, which specialises in leg care products, from Lion Corporation Singapore, according to a Facebook post by the fanclub on Friday (Feb 21).

Besides medical personnel, cleaners working at Singapore General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases also received the care packages.

Fan Bingbing

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38-year-old Chinese actress Fan Bingbing donated US$72,000 (S$100,646) to Wuhan Benevolent General Association on Jan 26, according to the New Straits Times.

The actress, who leapt to international fame when she starred in the Iron Man and X-Men franchises, was involved in a tax evasion scandal in 2019 and has since kept a low profile.

Barbie Hsu and Wang Xiaofei

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During this period of fear and panic, many have stocked up on face masks, leaving the shelves empty and masks were unavailable for those who need them.

Husband and wife duo Barbie Hsu, a Taiwanese actress, and Wang Xiaofei helped with the shortage issue and donated 10,000 masks which were bought in Japan to the city of Wuhan.

They also donated one million yuan to help aid relief efforts in Wuhan, after being criticised for donating only a "mere 200,000 yuan".

Zhu Yilong

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Zhu Yilong, a Chinese actor who is from Wuhan, also chipped in US$86,000 to the Wuhan Benevolent General Association.

His role as Chi Rui in Chinese drama Love for Three Lifetimes was one of the most prominent roles the actor had in his career.

ALSO READ: Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo, IU, other Korean celebs donate over $1.7million for South Korea coronavirus relief efforts

Deng Chao and Sun Li

The Chinese power couple donated 300,000 yuan to Jet Li's One Foundation to show their support to those battling the coronavirus. On top of that, they donated items needed by hospitals in the Jiangxi province - Deng's home province.

Deng Chao rose to fame in his acting gig with movies such as American Dreams in China (2013) and Shadow (2018). His wife, Sun Li, is a well-known actress with many Chinese drama shows such as Empresses in the Palace (2011) under her belt.

For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.

This article was first published in Her World Online.