A major charitable concert hosted by the popular Hong Kong band RubberBand and organizer Yiu Wing Entertainment has successfully raised over HK$2.9 million (approximately US$370,000) to support families affected by a devastating residential fire and honor first responders. The performance, titled “Same Heart, Same Beat” (《同在音樂會》), took place yesterday, with all proceeds from ticket sales—before any deduction for costs or operational expenses—earmarked for donation.
The unprecedented philanthropic effort follows a catastrophic five-alarm fire that recently engulfed multiple floors of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, causing extensive damage and leading to a significant community relief effort.
Proceeds Targeting Multiple Relief Funds
RubberBand announced via social media that the concert generated a total of more than HK$2.9 million in gross ticket revenue. In a move designed to distribute aid broadly, the funds will be evenly allocated among five specific beneficiary groups, ensuring support for affected residents, the charitable organizations assisting them, and the families of those who died or were injured in the line of duty.
The beneficiaries include:
- Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Relief Fund (大埔宏福苑援助基金): Directly assisting affected residents with immediate and long-term recovery needs.
- Tung Wah Group of Hospitals’ “Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Incident Compassion Fund” (東華三院「大埔宏福苑事故愛心捐款」): A dedicated fund managed by a leading statutory charitable organization.
- Families of the Deceased Firefighter: Honoring the sacrifice of the fireman who lost his life responding to the incident.
- The Home of Pak Yan Fung (白恩逢之家): An organization known for supporting various individuals in need.
- Ah Gun House (阿棍屋): A local shelter and rescue organization, often supporting pet or animal-related needs in disaster zones, signifying holistic community support.
Showing ‘Infinite Strength’ Through Unity
The band and Yiu Wing Entertainment expressed profound gratitude to the attendees and donors, emphasizing the collective power of community goodwill.
In an accompanying post, RubberBand stated, “The ‘RubberBand x Yiu Wing Entertainment: Same Heart, Same Beat’ concert has concluded successfully. We thank every benefactor. Your generosity brings warmth and hope to the community. RubberBand and Yiu Wing Entertainment salute you all deeply—when we are ‘Same Heart, Same Beat‘ (同在), our strength is infinite.”
The immediate mobilization of the musical community underscores the deep-seated impulse in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry to respond swiftly to public tragedies. By directing the entirety of the gate revenue directly to relief efforts, the event provided both emotional catharsis through music and measurable financial support to the rebuilding efforts in Tai Po.
The successful fundraising drive provides critical financial buffers for families facing displacement, medical expenses, and the complex process of rebuilding their lives after the severe structural damage caused by the high-profile fire. This joint initiative establishes a precedent for full-cost transparency in charitable concert organizing, maximizing the impact of donor contributions for victims and first responders facing the consequences of the disaster.
