"We are ONE"

[WhiteFang]

Dear Eurobricks Community,

I will like to share this upcoming charity event coverage in Singapore, that were organised by CapitaLand, LEGO Singapore and Mediacorp joining hands to device this first incredible charity event that revolved around our favourite LEGO Bricks. If you happen to be in Singapore between 23rd Oct to 19th Nov, be sure to visit Orchard ION Shopping Centre to drop your donation.

Remember, every brick counts!

This is the new coverage provided by ChannelNewsAsia in 13th Oct 2009.

Extraction from the website

SINGAPORE : Three organisations have come together to build a model of Singapore out of Lego bricks for charity.

The drive - called "We Are One" - by CapitaLand, LEGO and MediaCorp hopes to galvanise Singaporeans during this downturn, and eventually raise S$1 million to help the needy.

The charity drive starts with one brick. Priced at S$2 each, the aim is to get Singaporeans to donate enough money to eventually build an entire island measuring five metres by eight metres.

Members of the public can also go online to www.weareone.sg to pledge their donations.

Shaun Seow, deputy chief executive officer, MediaCorp (News, Radio, Interactive, Print), said: "It is very symbolic as well because it really means that we need all of us to contribute to Singapore's success - that no one brick is going to be entirely the shape of Singapore, it is all of us coming together."

The "We Are One" project will be officially launched by President S R Nathan at ION Orchard on October 23. The finished product will be unveiled on November 19 by Senior Minister S Jayakumar.

Simon Ho, deputy chief executive officer, CapitaLand Retail & CapitaMall Trust Management, said: "In Singapore, we are the largest owner-operator of shopping centres and every month, more than 20 million people pass through our doors.

"So we are in a good position to reach out to a lot of Singaporeans and visitors, and hope to rally Singaporeans to support this project."

Volunteers will put together the bricks based on a professional design.

Tan Lee Hoon, managing director, LEGO Singapore, said: "We do need a professional to put (it) together. For this Singapore island, (it is) designed by our Lego-certified professional Nicholas Foo; he is the only certified professional in Asia."

Mr Foo has also come up with six iconic designs that will sit on top of the island.

The charity drive is not just about individuals. About 50 plots will also be available for companies to take up for charity, at about S$10,000 each.

MediaCorp artistes will also build their personal patches. And fans will be able to lend their support by donating to the creations built by their favourite artistes.

All the money raised from the sale of bricks will go to the Community Chest and President's Challenge 2009. The Lego bricks will be dismantled after the charity drive and the half million pieces donated to childrens' charities. - CNA/ms

WhiteFang

[Inconspicuous]

This looks like a great way to show compassion to the world and involves our favorite bricks. It's shame that many of us won't be able to make it, but it looks great for those of you who can make it. The symbolism looks great and the cause even better!

[Big Cam]

That's awesome Whitefang, unfortunetaly I won't be in Singapore but it looks like a great cause.

[WhiteFang]

Update: This is the interview from the LEGO Certified Professional, Nicholas, Blackbulb done by ChannelNewsAsia.

Extraction from the website

SINGAPORE : "We Are One" - a corporate social responsibility project by LEGO, CapitaLand and MediaCorp - includes six Singapore icons specially created by a LEGO certified professional - Nicholas Foo.

There are only nine such LEGO designers in the world and just one in Asia.

Foo's works - which are usually commissioned by private and corporate clients - include replica models of motorcycles and whimsical toys based on the theme of love.

Lately, Foo has been working on a series of designs such as a cable car and Merlion for the fundraising project "We Are One".

Each design is carefully researched using photographs and site visits. It is time-consuming work that requires a meticulous eye for detail, which was all the more important when reproducing Singapore's City Hall.

"If you look at the back (of the model), there are no pillars on City Hall. The pillars are only on the two side walls... There are actually little ledges on the windows, so I tried to recreate all the little ledges as well," said Foo, certified LEGO professional, Blackbulb Creations.

Foo took over 700 hours in all to build the models. Over 9,700 individual pieces were used to create the six models, with the City Hall taking up about 4,224 bricks.

Foo also created designs for three other Singapore icons, representing the port, public housing and Changi Airport.

When completed, they will be snapped into place on a 5 by 8 metre giant Singapore map, which is also entirely made up of LEGO pieces.

The LEGO bricks are sold at S$2 each to raise S$1 million for the needy. Proceeds will go towards the Community Chest and the President's Challenge 2009.

And on Wednesday, a donation drive was held at MediaCorp.

Members of the public may also buy them at ION Orchard or online at We Are One's website.

Companies can purchase a plot of LEGO real estate on the map, which they can decorate with their own designs.

[Lawrence]

Not sure if thisis the correct place to put the pictures

[Big Cam]

Wow, that's impressive. Alot of bricks went into that.

[WhiteFang]

Not sure if this is the correct place to put the pictures

Thanks Lawrence for sharing these images with us. Actually I am looking forward to see more pictures of Singapore overview island.

By the way, I have merged your topic in this discussion.