(2 December 2019, Hong Kong) We are pleased to update that the Li Ka Shing Foundation (LKSF) has successfully implemented the Crunch Time Instant Relief Fund programme in accordance with the directions of Mr Li Ka-shing.
Our plan is to award the remaining portion of about HK$100 million through a final round of random computer process for those qualified applicants who were not previously selected. Each grant will be HK$30,000.
The programme has received a total of over 43,000 applications, and HK$1billion will be distributed to about 27,000 successful applicants who will receive the funds on or before mid-December.
In Phase Three of the Crunch Time Instant Relief Fund:
The Foundation has received a total of 1,585 applications from SMEs in the travel industry and 4,942 applications from Licensed Hawkers. Successful applicants will all receive a grant. A special thanks to the representatives from the Federation of Hong Kong Kowloon New Territories Hawkers Associations who worked tirelessly to assist hawkers with their applications.
From the LKSF team:
To be able to serve the community is always a blessing. We are grateful that the Crunch Time Instant Relief Fund has met with resounding enthusiasm and we would like to thank all individuals, groups, and communities that have offered us considerable support. Our special appreciation goes to HSBC, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Woo Kwan Lee & Lo, Google Cloud, ESD Life, Welab, and Hongkong Post. We benefited enormously from their professionalism and expertise.
Personally, Mr Li is profoundly touched and encouraged by the outpour of well wishes and gifts he received from many proprietors of the F&B sector. He understands more than anyone the hardships entrepreneurs have to bear, but with fortitude and self-belief, everyone can overcome hard times and reshape their future even if we hit the ground. Stay positive. Never give up.
About the Li Ka Shing Foundation
The Li Ka Shing Foundation was established in 1980 to work on education, medical services and research initiatives. To date, Mr Li has invested over HK$26 billion across 27 countries and regions, with about 80% of the projects within the Greater China region. In 2006, Mr Li described his philanthropic effort as akin to having another son in the family. He called for a paradigm shift in our Asian culture of giving, through apportioning more of our wealth and means towards social capital so that we could bring forth great hope and promises for the future.