Tan Sze Hui was walking home from school with four friends when the tree collapsed during heavy rain and strong winds, leaving her with serious injuries.

Kok said that while insurance would cover most of the hospital bills, the family would still face significant expenses once Tan is discharged.

“We should set a target of RM500,000 because we are talking about long-term treatment, physiotherapy and rehabilitation,” she told reporters at a press conference today with Tan’s mother, Lai Sui Leng, and the Taman Desa Residents Association (TDRA).

“The mother is a secretary and she has four children. I hope this press conference will help publicise our fundraising campaign.”

She urged the public to channel contributions through the TDRA, which has opened a dedicated bank account for the fundraiser.

Lai said her daughter suffered spinal cord damage between the T9 and T12 vertebrae and fractures in both legs.

Tan remains bedridden at Sunway Medical Centre and relies on a catheter and daily physiotherapy. She has shown minor improvements and continues preparing for her SPM examinations from her hospital bed.

Lai said her family did not know how long Tan would need to be hospitalised, adding that future expenses would include home nursing, physiotherapy and acupuncture.

TDRA chairman Wong Chan Choy said the residents’ association was overseeing the fundraising to ensure transparency and accountability.

He said a total of RM145,319 had been collected as of this morning, with a RM15,000 donation from Kok.

Donations can be made to:
Account name: Persatuan Penduduk-Penduduk Taman Desa
Hong Leong Bank Bhd
Account No.: 20900059278.