Sammi Cheng Accused Of Praying But Not Donating To Tai Po Fire Victims

Hong Kong star Sammi Cheng has spoken out in a series of heartfelt Instagram posts following the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po that killed at least 159 people.

What began as a simple expression of grief soon turned into an emotional clarification, after she found herself at the centre of public questioning over whether she had contributed financially to relief efforts.

The Cantopop star initially wrote about her helplessness, saying she felt torn while filming from morning to night and unable to join volunteers on the ground.

“Seeing so many warm-hearted people offering love and help, while I could do nothing… I felt extremely sad and ashamed,” she wrote.

When she later discovered that a church was holding a prayer meeting for the victims, she rushed there after her shoot wrapped 30 minutes early — determined not to miss the chance to do something, however small.

But after sharing about her prayer experience, she began receiving a flood of messages questioning: “Besides praying, did you (actually) make a donation?”

The next day, Sammi posted a lengthy message addressing the backlash.

She said she “fully respects everyone’s right to question,” but asked for the chance to clarify her feelings and the facts.

She admitted that the criticisms left her “embarrassed and uncomfortable,” adding that repeated private messages demanding to know whether she had donated had created an “invisible pressure.”

Sammi revealed that she had, in fact, made a donation on the very day of the disaster (Nov 26).

Through her assistant, she donated HK$1 million (S$166K), which would be allocated to the Red Cross and Yan Chai Hospital.

She emphasised that she has never been someone to publicise her charitable acts.

For her, the point of donating is “being able to help people,” and she doesn’t care about whether her good deeds are known or reported.

Her only concern is “whether the funds will ultimately be properly used and allocated to those in need.”