THE Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund needs to raise a record $3.57 million this year.

This is because it wants to give each needy child on the fund a bit more to cope with the rising cost of living, said the fund's chairman Mr Peter Khoo.

From July, each primary school pupil on the fund gets $35 a month, up from $30. Secondary school students receive $60 a month, instead of $50.

Also, these children are now allowed to stay on the fund for up to two years at a stretch, instead of one. An estimated 8,747 children are depending on the fund to help them through school next year.

Nine-year-old Asri Abdullah, who goes to school most days on an empty stomach, is one of them.

'There's just not enough money at home to put breakfast on the table,' his jobless mum, Madam Latipa Hassan, told The Straits Times.

Madam Latipa, 48, depends on her security guard brother to support them on his meagre income. She is not sure how much her bachelor brother earns, but gets $100 from him occasionally.

Her husband left the family before Asri was born. About a year ago, Madam Latipa - a primary-school drop-out - had to quit her $400 a month job at a food-court due to a back problem.

'Without the Fund, Asri would have to go hungry in school,' said Madam Latipa, who is down to her last $400 in savings.

Asri gets $35 each month from the fund, which is enough to buy him a plate of his favourite Nasi Lemak and a drink during recess in school everyday. He said: 'I like school. School is fun. And I love to eat Nasi Lemak.'

Asri also gets help from Beyond Social Services, a charity that helps children, youths and families from troubled backgrounds.

He goes to Beyond everyday after school and social workers there help him with his school-work, among other things.

Since January, the fund has collected about $2 million in donations. It is short of $1.6 million, said Mr Khoo.

'The fund is one way to help children from poor families through school. Education is the best way to help these poor families level up,' he added.