Operation Santa Claus fundraiser tops HK$20m for second straight year

Hong Kong's largest annual year-end fundraising drive has once again registered a resounding success, topping HK$20 million in donations for the second year in a row.

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The main guests at the Operation Santa Claus closing ceremony. From left, South China Morning Post editor-in-chief Wang Xiangwei, Operation Santa Claus project director Ellen Yeung, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital deputy medical superintendent Dr Joseph Chan, Director of Broadcasting Roy Tang, Executive Council member Anna Wu, UBS chief communication officer Asia-Pacific Rob Stewart, American International School director of admissions and development Teresa Wong, venue sponsor Greg De'eb of Crown Wine Cellars and Bank of America Merrill Lynch head of global corporate services Asia-Pacific Bob Kee. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 3:30am, 22 Jan 2015Updated: 6:23pm, 22 Jan 2015

Hong Kong's largest annual year-end fundraising drive has once again registered a resounding success, topping HK$20 million in donations for the second year in a row.

Operation Santa Claus raised HK$20,759,231 after almost two months of intensive but mostly fun-filled activities, organisers the and RTHK announced at a closing ceremony last night.

The sum was just HK$200,000 shy of the previous year's donations. The campaign has collected HK$232 million and benefited 214 projects over 27 years since its inception in 1988.

Convicts, police and superheroes were all on the guest list as UBS staff dressed up and partied to raise money. The bank was once again the top fundraiser, bringing in HK$4.8 million. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Morgan Stanley Asia-Pacific co-chief executive officer Gokul Laroia with Santa and children from the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children. Photo: May Tse

Teams don fancy dress for the Wing Ding Squash Tournament that was part of Operation Santa Claus at the Hong Kong Football Club. Photo: Edward Wong

"For many years, Operation Santa Claus has been a defender, a protector and a fighter for all those who need your help," Anna Wu Hung-yuk, an Executive Council member and the guest of honour, told a gathering of donors and beneficiaries at the Crown Wine Cellars in Deep Water Bay. "Come back next year and make sure you open up your wallets for the next instalment," she urged.

Director of broadcasting Roy Tang Yun-kwong joined in and thanked "donors, corporate or individuals, big or small, for chipping in for this meaningful event.

"I have to give a big hand to generous donors and supporters, from corporations and schools, who show us fundraising can be fun and creative."

UBS was again the top fundraiser, collecting HK$4.8 million - and it also launched an initiative to train executives of NGOs at Chinese University.