KUALA LUMPUR: For many, shopping for new clothes is something to look forward to every festive season.

But for 15-year-old Ku Nurul Azimah Md Aripin and her 11-year-old sister, Ku Azizah, new clothes are luxuries which their widowed mother, who works as a road sweeper, can ill afford.

  Yesterday though, the two sisters were all smiles when they were taken on a Hari Raya shopping spree, courtesy of Ancasa Hotel & Spa.

  "I felt sad when I saw people wearing brand new clothes and shoes. We didn’t have any last year but this year, my sister and I get to wear new clothes, too," said Ku Nurul happily.

  They were among 48 children from Persatuan Ehsan Wanita & Anak-anak Kuala Lumpur (Pewanida) who were taken to the UO Superstore in Jalan Sultan here to shop for Hari Raya clothes.

  The children, who were accompanied by Pewanida members and the store staff, had fun picking out clothes and trying on shoes.

Siblings Muhammad Firdaus Azmal, (back), Nur Farhana, and Muhammad Faris trying on new clothes at the UO Superstore yesterday.  

"I love pink," gushed five-year-old Nur Farhana Azmal as she tried on a dress in her favourite colour. Her brothers, aged 11 and 6, were also busy trying on shirts and baju melayu. 

   Nur Farhana and her brothers lost their father three years ago and live with their 30-year-old mother, who works as a clerk, in a small rented flat in Sentul.

   The treat did not end with the new clothes and shoes as the children were also presented with hampers by the store. They were later taken to the Ancasa Hotel for the breaking of fast.

   The hotel also invited 20 senior citizens from Rumah Penjagaan Warga Tua Sri Tanjung in Kuang for the event.

   It also handed out 700 packets of food to motorists and passers-by outside the hotel to usher in the holy month of Ramadan.