Special-needs group and NKF pay tribute to SR Nathan

ASSOCIATION for Persons with Special Needs (APSN):

"Whilst as President, Mr Nathan visited our APSN schools at least four times, twice to declare open two of our schools - APSN Chaoyang School and APSN Katong School.

"Our Emeritus President Dr Francis C. Chen, who was on hand to receive Mr and Mrs Nathan each time, recalled that they showed great interest in the welfare of our special needs children and fondly interacted with them. Vice President Dr Victor Tay commended that Mr Nathan is a strong and exemplary supporter of the charitable sector, providing an uplifting beacon of hope, propelling Singapore towards an inclusive society when many in the society were skeptical of the capabilities of special needs.

"Mr S R Nathan as a trained social worker also advised us to track our students after they have graduated from our system to see if any of them required further training or re-training after finding open employment.

"We pay tribute to a President who cared for the special needs community and who had raised millions of dollars for charity through the President's Challenge events."

Aurora Lui, 17, Year One student in retail operations at APSN Delta Senior School:

"I remember Mr Nathan coming to Chaoyang School when I was Primary 1 in 2006. He was there to do the opening of the school in Yio Chu Kang. He gave a speech to the students and I remembered that it was quite inspiring for me and my friends.

"Sometime last year, I performed at one event where Mr Nathan was present. After the performance, I got to shake hands with him. I was very proud and happy to be able to meet him in person. Mr Nathan is a very inspiring person and he made me feel important when he talked to me. He is also very kind to every people in Singapore."

National Kidney Foundation:

"The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) wishes to express our deepest condolences on the demise of Singapore's former President, the late Mr S R Nathan. We share his family's sorrow and loss.

"Mr Nathan led a meaningful and fulfilling life through his great contributions in public service for our nation. In particular, NKF is grateful to him for his exemplary work in social service and his care and compassion for our needy kidney patients.

"In 2011, Mr Nathan showed his support for NKF during our Charity Dinner by doing a Chinese calligraphy piece on stage. He wrote the words . . . which mean 'Benevolence', to symbolise the compassion that donors, volunteers and supporters have shown to kidney patients over the years. Mr Nathan, who had been practising writing the words, hoped that the calligraphy piece would signify hope for our kidney patients as well as encourage Singaporeans to give back to society.

"His strong support for helping the underprivileged greatly inspires us to do even more for the vulnerable and needy in our society."