Operation Santa Claus launched in Hong Kong

The season of giving officially starts tonight with a musical feast to launch the annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Bobby Taylor, who introduced the Jackson 5 to Motown, the Pete Moore Band and opera singer Brian Montgomery will perform at the opening ceremony at the Maritime Museum in Central, which will be broadcast live on RTHK Radio 3.

The annual event, organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK, is in its 26th year - in which time it has funded some 176 projects to help the needy.

The tradition began in the 1960s, with RTHK presenters performing crazy stunts - including diving into Victoria Harbour in winter - to raise money for charity. But the campaign stopped in the 1970s, when the launch of the Community Chest gave Hongkongers an official body to receive charitable donations.

Operation Santa Claus (OSC) has grown in popularity since its relaunch in 1988, with more corporations, associations, schools and individuals taking part to raise funds through sporting contests, fancy dress events, carol singing and other activities. For the first five years, the campaign helped just one charitable organisation a year, and raised several million dollars each time.

Last year, it raised a record HK$18.8 million - and 18 charities benefited from the money.