Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny donates S$10,000 to welfare home

SINGAPORE: Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny has generously donated S$10,000 (US$7,370) to the Muhammadiyah Welfare Home (MWH).

This donation came from money he received from Chinese football fans.

On Tuesday (2 July), MWH shared a post on Facebook featuring a photo of Hassan presenting a S$10,000 cheque to its head, Ms Rahmatunnisa Abdul Majeed.

During his visit, Hassan also spent time interacting with the children at the home.

MWH, a children’s home providing shelter and 24/7 residential care for boys aged 10 and above, expressed their gratitude, stating, “We received a visit from special guest Singapore goalkeeper Hassan, who is no stranger to the home.”

The post added that the contribution would support their upcoming CharityFest later this year.

In an interview with Berita Harian, Hassan, a father of four, he explained his choice to support Muhammadiyah.

“As a father of four daughters, I understand the needs of these children,” he said.

“I want to put a smile on their faces because it is not easy for children to live their lives like that. When I hear their stories or experiences, I am very sad."

Hassan continued, “So I hope to see them smile with this donation. I think that’s enough. I don’t come from a wealthy family, so I understand the difficulties they face. So, this contribution is indeed my responsibility.”

Ms Rahmatunnisa emphasized the significance of the donation.

“We feel moved and happy to receive this donation because this is a recognition of our responsibility in taking care of the children in this charity home,” she said.

"It gives us the spirit to continue fighting and contributing to the community."

She also mentioned that they will hold a CharityFest event at the end of August to raise funds and awareness about the charity home.

Hassan’s donation followed his unexpected rise to fame among Chinese football fans.

On 11 June, during a World Cup qualifier in Bangkok, Hassan’s impressive performance—recording 11 saves in Singapore’s 3-1 loss to Thailand—helped China advance to Asia’s final round of qualifiers.

This feat led to Chinese media and social media spotlighting Hassan and his Muslim food stall in Tampines.

Chinese fans flocked to his nasi padang stall, with some even transferring money via its payment QR code.

However, Hassan warned fans about fake QR codes and urged them to support him rationally.

In an earlier interview with The Straits Times, he revealed his intention to donate the money to charity, saying, “In my religion, when I receive money that’s not mine, I have to donate and do my part for the community.”

Hassan’s newfound fame also led to an invitation for him and his family to visit Shanghai, showcasing the extent of his influence and the gratitude of his Chinese supporters.