MIDSOUTH Holdings, the 100th Chinese company to list on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), has pledged $100,100 to The Bull Run.

The Bull Run, now in its third year, is an SGX charity event intended to raise money from the financial sector and listed companies for needy children and young people.

The event raised $2.2 million in 2004, the year of its inception, and increased that to $2.3 million last year.

As at May 24, $800,000 has already been collected this year - even before the participants put on their running shoes.

The major beneficiaries of the event will be The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, Autism Association (Singapore) and five programmes supported by the Community Chest.

Some of the proceeds are also to be divided between six other causes benefiting children and other young people.

The event is organised by SGX, in collaboration with Temasek Holdings and in partnership with Central Singapore Community Development Council, The Business Times, Channel NewsAsia and accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

It is supported by the Land Transport Authority and the Singapore Sports Council.

The chief executive officer of MidSouth Holdings, Gao Yanhua, said: 'As the 100th Chinese company to be listed on SGX, we felt that it was a novel idea to donate $100,100 to The Bull Run.

'We are also glad to be the first diamond bull sponsor to pledge our support to this worthy cause benefiting needy children and youths.'

The China-based company manufactures and installs fibre glass, reinforced plastics, industrial fittings, and air-conditioning ventilation system parts.

It is among a growing list of companies from China listing on the Singapore Exchange.