AUTISTIC CHILDREN SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION TO FATHERS ON A FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATION

Kuala Lumpur, 23 June 2006 - The Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities Fund of Malaysia ( RMHC) today had a Father’s Day celebration with 16 autistic children from SuperTouch KL. Held at McDonald’s Titiwangsa, the celebration was held to provide an opportunity to the children to enjoy this special occasion with their family, especially their fathers!

At the McDonald’s Party Room, the children were entertained by the McDonald’s character - Hamburglar, while they also participated in various games specially arranged by McDonald’s crew and teachers from SuperTouch KL for the children as well as their fathers and siblings. The children and their fathers and siblings were later treated to a McDonald’s Happy Meal and buffet sponsored by RMHC. A cake cutting ceremony was also arranged by SuperTouch KL for the children and their fathers. In appreciating the fathers, the organizers prepared a little gift for each child to present to their fathers. RMHC also presented goody bags with Sanford colour pencils and Paper-mate junior stationery sets sponsored by Sanford Stationery, Milo pens sponsored by Nestlé, story books and toys sponsored by McDonald’s.

In her speech, RMHC President Puan Fadillah Yakin said, “We hope this celebration helps ensure children enjoy and celebrate the special occasions with their loved ones. It has been a tradition for RMHC to celebrate major festivities and also family-related occasions with children for them to experience the fun and excitement of these events, on top of instilling in them values which are so essential in building and developing a healthy mindset.”

The Head of SuperFlow Centre Miss Penny Khor said, “We are working on giving these special children the ability to be independent. We are excited that of our initial intake of autistic children at SuperTouch KL, 4 of them have shown marked improvement and we feel there are immense prospects and infinite opportunities for these children. The 4 autistic children have since been moved to a normal kindergarten where they will be educated alongside other children. So, imagine what potential there is for the future of these children born with this disorder!”