By SHARMILA NAIR
alltherage@thestar.com.my

WHAT is the craziest thing you would do in the name of charity? Well, TV personality Hansen Lee conducted an auction in a freezing cold venue … with his t-shirt off. Of course, none of the audience member at Twestival KL complained. Have you seen Hansen’s ripped body? It’s amazing.

Will Quah (left) and singer Elvira paid RM300 for Hansen to take off his shirt … all in the name of charity.

Anyway, the actual reason why over 220 social media users gathered at a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday was to hang out with like minded people and have lots of fun and more important do good. Twestival KL, which is part of the global Twestival movement, brings social media users together to raise funds to benefit local charities and the first Twestival KL, organised in 2009, raised over RM11, 000.

Hosted by Lee, Elaine Daly and Will Quah, the fifth edition of the event collected more than RM30, 000 thanks to the charitable people and organisations who lent their support to the good cause.

Elaine Daly and Hansen Lee hosted the auctions at Twestival Kuala Lumpur.

“This is a good way to bring social media users together for a charitable cause. People could give direct donations or make bids on the items we auctioned at the event,” said Twitter KL organiser Niki Cheong.

The audience members had the chance to bid on a variety of items, including a Harimau Malaya jersey signed by two of its players, sponsored by local and international organisations. The attendees, who had to pay a minimal donation of RM50 entry fee, also had the chance to win high-tea luncheon vouchers, limited edition Moleskine notebooks and smartphones during the lucky draw sessions.

“Multimedia Development Corporation has pledged to match our fundraising amount up to RM10, 000. All the money that’s raised from Twestival KL will go to the charity of our choice,” said Cheong. The proceeds will go to the non-profit organisation Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Hulu Langat in Selangor which serves as a drop-in centre for children with special needs. “They are raising funds to build a one-stop centre and the Twestival KL team hopes to contribute what we can to help the organisation continue to do their good work,” he added.

The crowd was also entertained by the live performances by local artistes such as Elvira, Ray Cheong, Carmen Soo, Vince Chong and Liang. They also had the opportunity to meet some of the local Twitterverse celebrities including Cheong, Jason Lioh and Chee Ching.

For more information on the event, go to www.twestivalkl.com.