Hello Kitty delights Ti-Ratana kids

THE squeals of delight and peals of laughter reverberating through Sungei Wang Plaza took shoppers by surprise recently.

Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll were making a special appearance at the mall, and about 40 children from the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, who had been waiting impatiently to meet the affable Kitty and jovial puppy, were ecstatic when the cartoon characters made their entry.

The youngsters cried with delight when they were told they could take individual photographs with the characters and receive the photos as their keepsake.

“I’ve always wished to meet Hello Kitty in person and today I am really happy that my wish is granted. She and her friend Cinnamoroll are so cute and loveable,” said five-year-old Cheong Wai Ling while hugging the big fluffy Hello Kitty toy in her arms.

The Ti-Ratana children posing with the loveable cartoon characters and Sungei Wang staff members.

Besides Cheong, there were another 39 girls aged between three and 16 years who witnessed Hello Kitty’s first appearance in Sungei Wang Plaza, in conjunction with her 35th birthday celebration.

Another excited girl was Jasmine Lam, 15, who has been living in the home run by the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society in Desa Petaling for six years. The teenager could not contain her delight when she met the loveable characters.

“I was so surprised when I heard that my friends and I would be meeting and greeting Hello Kitty. This experience is all the more memorable as we also got to meet Cinnamoroll,” Lam said.

The girls not only got to meet Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll, they also received goodie bags that contained stationery sets, potato chips, chocolates and other gifts from Sungei Wang Plaza, which had made the visit possible.

“Since it’s the school holiday, we decided to surprise the children by inviting them to Sungei Wang Plaza so that they could meet Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll,” said Sungei Wang Plaza promotions and public relations senior manager K.K. Lim.

A shopper delighting in Hello Kitty merchandise available for sale

“We have always been guided by a sense of community and compassion, so in our calendar of events, we make it a point to include charity events every year. A different home is chosen each year so that more children would have the opportunity to enjoy the special something the shopping complex organises without fail,” he added.

The Hello Kitty Fantasy was also Sungei Wang Plaza’s first promotional event specially organised for all girls.

“Previously, we have had various male superheroes such as Ultraman, Masked Rider, Power Rangers and B-Daman during school holidays.

“This year, we decided to create anticipation and joy among our female and family shoppers by inviting Hello Kitty,” Lim said.

Hello Kitty made special appearances, posed demurely for photographs and mingled with her beloved fans during daily meet-and-greet sessions at the mall during the promotion.

Meanwhile, a Hello Kitty Fantasy Merchandise Fair was also held at the Concourse Level, with loads of merchandise such as plush toys, household and bathroom items, stationery and gifts on offer.

Angie Yeoh, from Ukay Perdana, was one of Hello Kitty’s fans who visited the merchandise fair on the first day.

“I’ve been admiring Hello Kitty since I was eight years old and now I share my passion with my one-year-old daughter,” said Yeoh, who bought a soft toy, plastic folder, stationery and car accessories.

Lee Yu Fen from Petaling Jaya was also at the merchandise fair early in the morning.

“I am proud to have been a Hello Kitty fan since I was 12 years old. The moment I heard that Hello Kitty was coming to Sungei Wang Plaza, I invited my friend and her young daughter to join me,” she said.

Sungei Wang Plaza also organised two colouring contests, for children aged between four and six years and between seven and nine years, with attractive cash and merchandise prizes up for grabs.