By Angeline Khor
MANJUNG: The International Ipoh Fashion Week (IIFW) has once again proven that fashion can be a force for good. Staying true to its “Fashion with a Heart” tagline, on 9 December, IIFW donated RM70,000 worth of vital medical equipment to the Paediatric High Dependency Unit (PHDU) at Hospital Seri Manjung.
This generous contribution was made possible by the proceeds from the inaugural IIFW ’23 and ’24 charity galas, with the Perak Malayalee Association and Sehati Perak Kinta Organisation championing the acquisition of equipment and collaborating with IIFW to ensure its successful delivery.
This suite of cutting-edge medical equipment includes the Resmed Stellar 150 ASIA PAC G2 for non-invasive respiratory care, the Philips G30E and Philips IntelliVue X3 Patient Monitors, the Terumo Terfusion for intravenous fluid administration, and the Vista Plus Transilluminator to facilitate easier and less painful needle insertions for young patients.
The official consignment ceremony, held on 9 December 2024 at Dewan Mutiara within Hospital Seri Manjung, was attended by esteemed guests and valued sponsors, including Royal Malaysian Navy Rear Admiral Dato’ Anuar bin Mohamed. The ceremony culminated with a visit to the Paediatric Ward, where guests witnessed firsthand the tangible impact of their generosity as the donated equipment was presented to the dedicated hospital staff.
Director of Hospital Seri Manjung, Dr. Nordin Nasir, emphasised the significance of the donation.
“With Manjung’s growing population, we have seen a significant rise in hospital admissions. These donations are invaluable in meeting the increasing demand for medical care and ensuring that we can provide the best possible treatment for our patients,” he said.
Having previously supported Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun for many years, IIFW co-founder Ms. Adeline Khan shared that the decision to redirect their focus to Hospital Seri Manjung in 2023 and 2024 was driven by the hospital’s urgent need for medical equipment.
“As Manjung is my hometown, this decision to support the residents of Manjung is not only impactful but also deeply personal to me,” she added.
While the 2023 donation faced unforeseen delays due to challenges with a partner non-government organisation (NGO), with RM11,183 worth of equipment still pending delivery, IIFW remained steadfast in fulfilling its pledge. This dedication was evident in the swift completion of the 2024 donation, valued at RM35,000, within just two months following IIFW ‘24.
Echoing this commitment, IIFW founder and CEO Mr. Louis Sebastian, expressed during his speech at the ceremony, “We make a living through what we earn, but we create a meaningful life through what we give.”
He highlighted that fundraising is not merely about raising money, but about instilling the joy of giving and fostering a spirit of generosity.
With the recent IIFW ‘24 themed “From Taiping with Love” being a resounding success, Mr. Sebastian conveyed his gratitude to the Perak State Government, relevant state agencies, sponsors, and donors, for their invaluable support and unwavering partnership.
Looking ahead to 2025, he expressed optimism about IIFW’s role in inspiring future generations and strengthening Perak’s fashion industry.
“I am confident that IIFW will continue to grow and carve its niche as a marquee fashion event in Malaysia,” he said.
Founded in 2017, IIFW has consistently gone beyond the runway over its seven-year journey, fostering local talent and driving meaningful social change. As IIFW moves forward, its legacy of merging fashion with philanthropy will continue to inspire hope and build a stronger, more connected community.
