SINGAPORE – In five days, almost half a million dollars has been raised through crowdfunding platform Give.Asia for the six-year-old son of the couple killed in the Tampines crash on Oct 29.
A woman who said she was a relative of the boy’s father had earlier posted a QR code linked to her personal bank account on her Instagram page for those who wished to donate to the boy.
Several netizens had wondered in the comments if the woman was indeed a relative, whether the fund-raiser was a scam, and if the money would actually go to the boy.
Give.Asia told The Straits Times on Nov 4 that it was the relative who had approached it to set up the fund-raising campaign, and that it was working with the family to properly disburse the funds to the boy until he is older.
On Oct 29, the married couple, both 24, were travelling on a motorcycle along Tampines Avenue 12 at around 10.35pm when a blue Audi slammed into them, killing both. The boy’s mother, who was riding pillion, was also pregnant.
In another Instagram post on Nov 2, the relative said that she had shared the QR code publicly because friends and family members wanted to contribute financially to help the child. But the public had also started transferring money to the account.
Calling it a misunderstanding, she said each donation received via the QR code had been documented in an Excel sheet to ensure transparency.
She added that the public QR code had expired.
Efforts by ST to contact her were unsuccessful. The amount collected via PayNow has not been disclosed.
On Nov 4, in response to ST’s queries, Give.Asia said it was grateful to all donors for their support. About $480,000 has been raised from almost 12,000 donors so far.
It added that the relative had wanted to set up the campaign following the overwhelming response from the public.
Give.Asia said its team reviewed her identification documents and the couple’s death certificates before approving the campaign for fund-raising.
It said: “We recognised that the family was navigating an extraordinarily difficult period, and that formal arrangements concerning the child’s guardianship and long-term care would understandably take time.”
Questions raised
Give.Asia said the public concerns underscored the importance of ensuring every dollar raised would contribute to the child’s welfare and future.
It said: “We also acknowledge that separate personal PayNow QR codes have circulated in connection with efforts to help the family. These are independent of the Give.Asia campaign, and our platform’s verification and disbursement safeguards apply specifically to donations collected through our official channels.”
Give.Asia said the family plans to set up a dedicated bank account in the child’s name, with the funds reserved for his upbringing, education, healthcare and long-term financial security.
To ensure this, Give.Asia said it was willing to facilitate a long-term arrangement with the boy’s family and relevant parties to manage the donations.
It said: “Depending on the family’s wishes and the applicable legal requirements, this could include exploring appropriate account structures, trusteeship arrangements or other safeguards that would help ensure the funds remain available for the child’s needs as he grows older.”
But the money will remain untouched until legal processes are completed, Give.Asia said.
It added: “As the legal guardianship process is still ongoing, Give.Asia will continue to safeguard donations collected through our platform. Disbursement will take place only after the necessary legal authority and banking arrangements have been verified and approved. There is no fixed disbursement date at this stage, as the appropriate arrangements must first be established.”
According to the listing on the platform, the fund-raising campaign is expected to close on Nov 12.
The driver of the blue Audi, Muhammad Zulfiqar Abdul Aziz, 30, was handed nine charges in connection with the accident.
They included charges of dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing hurt, and using a deregistered vehicle.
He was driving despite being under a six-year driving disqualification from March 2026 to March 2032.
The Audi also slammed into another car. The 25-year-old female driver did not suffer any serious physical injuries but is seeking psychiatric treatment.
She had been driving her father’s car, which was so badly damaged it had to be scrapped.
Give.Asia said no amount of money can replace the love of the boy’s parents, and added: “We believe the most important next step is not simply to raise more funds, but to ensure that the generosity already shown can make a meaningful difference in the years ahead.
“This requires cooperation, patience and a shared commitment to doing what is best for the child.”
