HONG KONG — A weekend charity pop-up market organized by the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild kicked off Friday, drawing dozens of celebrities who parted with personal treasures to raise funds and promote sustainability. The three-day event, dubbed the “Charity Flash Market,” runs through Sunday at the guild’s headquarters, featuring hundreds of donated items from film and television stars.
Guild Council member Lok-yi Shum, known as “Ah Mui,” spearheaded the initiative, which received enthusiastic backing from prominent figures including President Louis Koo, Vice-President Chin Ka-lok, former Vice-President Yu On-on, and council members Joey Chow, Wong Yat-ho, Sham Ka-ki, and Cheng Man. Additional donors included actress Jennifer Yu, strongman host Johnny, and former TVB host Sammi Wong.
“The main goal is to give these items a second life and help people rediscover love for them, while also raising much-needed funds for the guild,” Shum explained. “It’s environmentally friendly and charitable—a win-win.”
Preparations took four months, beginning when Shum received approval from President Koo. She described the “sorting day” as the most stressful phase. “We were starting from scratch to build a pop-up store. I coordinated everyone’s tasks and workflow, but we had limited supplies,” she said. “I was determined to follow eco-friendly principles and not create extra waste. So everything—from hangers and mirrors to decorations—was borrowed from various green teams.”
Volunteer crews, including professionals experienced in handling secondhand clothing, helped process hundreds of items. Shum expressed gratitude for the swift and dedicated response from artistes, saying, “They agreed to support without hesitation. Their wholehearted involvement lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.”
One standout contributor was actress Jennifer Yu, who donated multiple designer handbags and a leather jacket. Yu, who appeared personally at the guild to help sort and set up the market, said parting with her belongings was bittersweet. “Some of these bags have traveled with me to different places; they hold sentimental value, and I really love them,” she shared. “But for charity, I’m willing to let them go.”
Shum recalled that when she first asked Yu for donations, the actress was overseas. “I never expected that the moment she returned to Hong Kong, she would contact me proactively and quickly arrange transportation,” Shum said. “Her donated items are of very high quality, and I believe they will sell at good prices to raise more funds for those in need.”
The market represents the guild’s first-ever secondhand sale organized by the association itself. Shum previously managed similar “secondhand markets” but noted this event marked a new chapter for the performing artistes’ community.
Proceeds from the pop-up market will go directly toward the guild’s operational expenses and charitable initiatives. Organizers hope the event will encourage the public to embrace recycling and mindful consumption while supporting local artists.
With celebrity endorsements and a growing culture of sustainable giving, the charity flash market is expected to become an annual fixture on Hong Kong’s entertainment calendar.
