Melodic orchestral music not only soothes the soul but also serves a charitable purpose. Lifewire, Hong Kong’s first online crowdfunding platform dedicated to rare disease children, has partnered once again with the SAR Philharmonic Orchestra to host the ‘Lifewire charity concert 2024’ at the Hong Kong City Hall. The event aims to raise funds for rare disease patients and increase public awareness. The concert received support from Frank Chan Fan, Secretary for Transport and Housing, as well as several department heads, legislators, and artists.
 
Lifewire believes in the powerful emotional impact of music, connecting us and providing a healing experience filled with artistic ambiance. Sponsored by Convoy FinTech Group Limited and strongly supported by Sino Group, the charity concert carries the symbolic color ‘green,’ representing the resilience and vitality of rare disease children, as well as promoting an eco-friendly and sustainable world.
 
The SAR Philharmonic Orchestra, following their joint charity concert with Lifewire in 2019, once again performed for rare disease families. This time, they incorporated a new element: collaboration with sand artists Lai Kwan-Yi (age 19, Spinal Muscular Atrophy), Yang ka-Ying Kiki (Age 15, Spinal Cord Glioma), and Bux Hei-Yau Annie (Age 9, Developmental dysplasia of the Hip). Together, they used sand art to tell the stories of these young patients while the orchestra played Edward Elgar’s ‘Morning Song’ Op. 15 No. 2 and ‘Night Song’ Op. 15 No. 1, creating an inclusive and harmonious experience. The SAR Philharmonic Orchestra’s Music Director and Conductor K.K Chiu , along with harpist  Lauyee Yeung,  led the audience on a two-hour musical healing journey.
 
The orchestra’s members come from diverse professional backgrounds, including doctors, veterinarians, lawyers, accountants, engineers, and musicians. Not only do they excel in their performances, but they also take time out of their busy schedules to perform for rare disease patients and raise funds. Chen Tsz- Kin, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Chu Yat-long, who has mucopolysaccharidosis type VI, served as emcees during the concert’s opening ceremony, humorously noting that these kind-hearted individuals might be even rarer than the patients themselves.
 
The event was attended by Mr LAM Sai-hung, GBS, JP Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms. YU Po Mei, Clarice, JP, Director of Buildings, Mr. FONG Hok Shing, Michael, JP, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Chong Tai-kwong, Director of Mines, Mr. WONG Yan Lok, Roger, JP, Director of Water Supplies, Mr. NG Chin Hung, Richard, JP, Deputy Director of Highways, legislator Ir Dr LO Wai-kwok, GBS, MH, JP, and Mr. Duncan CHIU, as well as artists including Jumbo Tsang, Andrew Pong, and Virginia Lau.
 
Lifewire, founded in 2014, recognizes the challenges faced by rare disease patients, including the lack of curative treatments, high medical costs, and limited public awareness. Through personal visits to these children, Lifewire documents their situations in writing and short videos, providing real-life perspectives and raising awareness for rare disease cases and families.
 
The SAR Philharmonic Orchestra, composed of amateur music enthusiasts, is a charitable organization with the goal of using beautiful and moving music to assist those in need. Over the years, the orchestra has organized fundraising concerts to support multiple charitable organizations.

It’s heartwarming to see how music can bring people together for such a noble cause!

 

Special Thanks

Prestige Sponsor: Konew FinTech Corporation Limited

Premier Sponsor: Sino Land Company Limited

Supporting organizations:

Chun Wo Charitable Foundation Limited

BAUER Equipment Hong Kong Limited

Hip Hing Construction Co., Ltd.

Kwan Lee Holding Limited

Ryoden Development Ltd

Shun Yuen Construction Company Limited

Wing Ho Yuen Landscaping Co., Ltd.