Organisers keep on top of supplies for Hong Kong Occupy Central protesters

Walking through the protest sites in Admiralty, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok at the height of the demonstrations, ad-hoc supply stations were a common sight.

However, most of the scores of tents were not put up by Occupy Central or the Federation of Students, but by protesters on their own - and they were stocked by public donations and anonymous donors.

While tents and loudspeakers came from various non-governmental groups, other items - including goggles, masks, water and food - came from a number of secret donors.

During the protest, a truck was seen dropping off supplies at various points from Wan Chai to Admiralty at midnight each day, with the donor remaining hidden from public view. Also, a team of motorcyclists drove around the protest areas dropping off supplies.

On Tuesday, another secret donor sent 100 foldable director's chairs to the Admiralty protest site.

Donations did not necessarily come from affluent supporters. A volunteer group consisting of several youngsters - some self-employed and others working for small pro-Occupy companies - had bought goggles and masks worth at least HK$12,000, said a member who asked to remain anonymous.

While the numbers grew, it was difficult to coordinate supplies, as some stations had no set leaders to keep track of depleting stocks.