Since Nur Alam Shah passed away on Friday, May 18, people have upped their donations for the heart surgery of the former S-league footballer’s 4-year old son, Mohammad Royyan Shah. 

The young boy was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a rare heart defect preventing normal blood flow, which meant the young boy has needed multiple surgeries since birth.

The late football player, age 38, and his wife, Madam Azean Aziz, also 38, had a daughter born with the same condition in November 2007. She died of the disease the following year. They have two other children, now ages 8 and 14.

Mr. Shah, who had been working as a limousine driver, was the only breadwinner in the family. He had played for Woodlands Wellington, and in the 2000’s, he was a member of the S-League, which is now known as the Singapore Premiere League.

The former footballer started a fundraising campaign for his son’s medical expenses on the crowdfunding platform Give.asia. As of May 21, Monday, donations had amounted to SGD 58,000.

When news of Mr. Shah’s death became publicly known, more donations started pouring in. By Wednesday, May 23, the goal of SGD 170,000 had been more then met. On the site page, the money given is listed at SGD 188,961.35, and it is indicated that the fundraising campaign has been completed.

Mr. Shah, with the help of his sister, had also been raising funds through selling football jerseys at a stall called Royyan’s Corner in Geylang Serai bazaar.

The former footballer began a non-profit organisation in 2017 called Combine Schools Football Club, which taught the sport to children from the ages of 12 to 17, with the goal of keeping them off the streets.

According to his wife, Madam Azean, “He always told me that we cannot just receive help, but instead try to do what we can to help others as well. He was very passionate about football and coaching so he spent his Sundays to coach children without charging anyone. He would even fork out his own money to send the children for tournaments.”

In a note thanking the donors who gave toward their son’s medical treatment, Madam Azean wrote, 

“Dear wondeful donors, thank you for your overwhelming support to our campaign for Royyan’s surgery fees.

My husband, Nur Alam Shah, passed away peacefully in his sleep on 18 May, leaving behind myself and 3 children, including Royyan. He has been working very hard to help take care of the family, as he’s the sole bread winner of the family.

We hope to seek your kind understanding as we’ve adjusted our target slightly higher for us to tied through this tough period.

Thanks to the donors here, and GIVE.asia for helping us, as I’m still emotionally feeling unstable given that I’ve just lost my husband.

The account for the donation had been transferred to me, so I will manage the funds for Royyan surgery, which is schedule for this year.

Thanks again for your kind support to our family.

Regards,

Madam Azean”