GEORGE TOWN: This Chinese New Year, Shirin Aziha Shahidan is inviting those who wish to meet Uncle Ah San to attend a potluck gathering at her former neighbour’s home here.

Shirin, 29, will be organising the event on the first day of the New Year and has opened it to friends and family of 82-year-old Lim Kim Sung, better known as Uncle Ah San, and those who wanted to meet the octogenarian.

“I have put up the invitation on Uncle Ah San’s Facebook page.

“It will be a good time to meet everyone, including those who have been reading about him and keeping updated about his welfare.

“I am also eager to meet those who have been contributing much to help Uncle Ah San since news about him went viral on social media,” said Shirin, adding that she expected about 50 guests at the potluck do.

The heartwarming friendship of the public relations executive based in Kuala Lumpur, and the widower who has been suffering from elephantiasis, has no children and lives on his own, was well featured in the press and on social media.

She and Uncle Ah San made news in June 2015 when she took to social media to raise funds for Lim, whom she had known since she was 10, watching him struggle to cross Jalan Air Itam with his enlarged left leg as he pushed a tricycle full of used cardboard boxes to sell.

She even dropped in to celebrate Hari Raya with Lim.

In fact, she made it a point to visit Uncle Ah San whenever she could, besides during Chinese New Year.

Notably, Shirin was one of the 10 winners of the inaugural Star Golden Hearts Award by Star Media Group and Star Foundation in honour of individuals and groups who went out of their way to help others in need, regardless of their race, religion or status, in 2015.

Yesterday, Shirin was at Lim’s rented house in Jalan Gopeng here to brighten up the festive atmosphere as she hung a traditional embroidered red cloth over the main doorway.

She also brought a hamper and a box of fortune cookies.

“It has been a tradition for me to visit Uncle Ah San and hand over an ang pow during Chinese New Year,” she said.

A delighted Uncle Ah San said: “Shirin brought me so many Chinese New Year goodies and even took time to visit me.

“I am touched that a lot of people have come forward to help me.”