The following is issued on behalf of the Commission on Poverty:
 
     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, who is also the Chairman of the Commission on Poverty (CoP), today (April 8) hosted the Mission Possible party for some 100 children at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament.
      
     The party was co-organised by the CoP and the Mission Possible Foundation to provide children who would not normally have this opportunity with a chance to enjoy the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, which has its own carnival atmosphere. It was held at the Government Suite and Executive Suites of supporting corporate partners at the Hong Kong Stadium.
      
     As well as being a party venue for fun and enjoyment by participating children, the Government Suite has also been used for another worthy cause. In return for generous donations, Mission Possible supporters came to the Government Suite to watch the spectacular rugby tournament. All costs of the three-day Mission Possible event have been covered by generous sponsors, and the expected amount of more than $2 million raised through this and other fundraising activities during the event will go directly to local charities. Each year, four or more charities are featured by Mission Possible and sponsors can donate to any of the current year’s charities or any former featured charity. This year's featured charities are Integrated Brilliant Education Trust, J Life Foundation, Principal Chan Free Tutorial World and Summerbridge Hong Kong. These four organisations provide support and assistance to local and ethnic minority children and youths from less privileged backgrounds. Their services include distribution of food and daily necessities as well as provision of free tuition in school subjects.
      
     Mr Cheung acknowledged the Mission Possible Foundation's efforts and innovation in organising this meaningful event, which shows that rugby can be more than just fun and can be integrated with other worthy causes that benefit the wider community. He praised the Mission Possible Foundation for building a platform through which the CoP, businesses and other sectors can make joint efforts to promote an inclusive society through sports.
      
     The Mission Possible Foundation was founded by Mr Peter Bennett to promote social entrepreneurship as a way of addressing poverty issues. The Mission Possible event has been held with the generous support and partnership of the Hong Kong Rugby Union at the Hong Kong Sevens since 2013 to raise funds and awareness for poverty alleviation in Hong Kong.
      
     Apart from Mr Cheung and Mr Bennett, others attending today's event included CoP and task force members Professor Stephen Cheung, Dr Bunny Chan, Mr Cheng Chung-fo and Sports Commission member Ms Vivian Lee.
 

Ends/Saturday, April 8, 2017
Issued at HKT 9:47

NNNN