Love overflows for orphaned sisters

Ayra Wang

Donations had been pouring in to help two young children orphaned by tragedies just a year apart that the organization helping them stopped accepting money just a day after the fundraising appeal.

The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims on Wednesday called on people to send donations to the family after cancer-stricken Jiang Hui died on October 18.

Jiang was the widow of Hsu Man-ming, who was killed in a crane accident last year. The couple had two daughters, aged eight and five.

The association yesterday said "the donations were already sufficient to solve the two girls' urgent needs."

Chief executive Fay Siu Sin-man said the funds were enough to cover the living expenses of the two while their mother's bank account remains frozen following her death.

Jiang had also stopped accepting donations after her husband's death in September last year, saying she felt uneasy receiving money.

Relatives, however, felt they had to act as funds were needed for the girls in the short term after Jiang's death.

The children are now living with their grandfather and aunt.

Siu said donations have been halted.

"The family is not going to ask for more even if it's not enough," she said.

On behalf of the family, the association said: "In line with Mrs Hsu's spirit of gratitude and contentment during her lifetime, we do not want resources to be concentrated on our family."

The association will assist in managing the funds, it said.

It will give the money on a monthly basis to the girl's guardians for their daily use and education, while a portion will go to their guardians.

The association thanked the public and other charities for their support, which "showed Hongkongers are warmhearted," Siu said.

She added the organization will use the funds responsibly.

Hsu, a 41-year-old electrician, was killed when one of three tower cranes crushed several container offices at the Anderson Road construction site in Sau Mau Ping on September 7 last year.

Two other people died and six others were injured.

Jiang was already diagnosed with terminal breast cancer before Hsu died. She was receiving treatment.

Jiang's funeral will be held next month according to the family.

In the wake of the crane incident, contractor Aggressive Construction Co, along with six other companies and four individuals, faced 67 charges lodged by the Labour Department in March.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com