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Sabah quake: Donations pour in online for family of ‘heroic’ mountain guide

SINGAPORE — More than S$125,000 has been raised online for the family of a Sabahan mountain guide who died while aiding victims of the Sabah quake.

Robbi Sapinggi, photographed at Mount Kinabalu's summit on June 5, before the earthquake struck. Photo: Amazing Borneo/Facebook

Robbi Sapinggi, photographed at Mount Kinabalu's summit on June 5, before the earthquake struck. Photo: Amazing Borneo/Facebook

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SINGAPORE — More than S$125,000 has been raised online for the family of a Sabahan mountain guide who died while aiding victims of the Sabah quake.

Three days ago, a campaign was set up on crowdfunding site Indiegogo to raise funds for Robbi Sapinggi’s family. Sapinggi reportedly had assisted climbers descending Mount Kinabalu despite being injured and died after waiting for five hours for rescue teams.

Amazing Borneo, the tour company Sapinggi worked for, said that the veteran guide was with a climber when the quake hit. After being injured by falling rocks, Sapinggi advised the climber to descend Mount Kinabalu as fast as possible, but indicated he would stay behind to help others who might be on their way down.

Amazing Borneo had originally hoped to raise at least US$35,402 (S$48,159) in funds. By 11.30am today, the funding was already 354 per cent oversubscribed with 703 people pledging donations.

“Robbi was a man of passion, he loved his job and the people he worked with. He was always joyful and his spirit was contagious,” wrote the Amazing Borneo team on the Indiegogo page.

“We received countless reviews about his excellent service throughout his time with us, and we are proud to say that he heroically took care of his guests all the way to the end.

“His passing is a great loss, not only to his family but also to Sabah Parks and our organisation. He will always be our unsung hero,” the page read.

All funds received will be recorded and donated in full to Robbi’s family members, said Amazing Borneo.

Sapingi leaves behind his wife and a six-month-old baby boy.

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