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In a move to pay tribute and homage to all local heroes in combating atypical pneumonia (AP) in Hong Kong, Hongkong Post will issue a "One Heart One Mind Bless Hong Kong" souvenir cover on May 12, 2003 to encourage members of the public to send their appreciation and blessing to the AP fighters. The back of the souvenir cover is designed to allow personalised messages and words of thanks to be written on it.
The "One Heart One Mind Bless Hong Kong" souvenir cover features the frontline staff, including medical and nursing staff, policemen, lab-testing researchers, cleansing workers, voluntary workers and postmen who have all demonstrated their high spirit and tireless efforts to help the community overcome this disease. The souvenir covers will be distributed free of charge to the public on a first-come-first-served basis at 39 philatelic offices.
The Postmaster General of Hongkong Post, Mr Allan Chiang, said: "The souvenir cover is produced to enable members of the public to communicate their appreciation to the AP fighters. The management and staff of Hongkong Post will do all we can to help the community to act in unison and continue with their efforts to win the battle against AP."
The production of this souvenir cover is funded by the donations from Hongkong Post staff in a campaign organised by the PostCare Club, a volunteer group of Hongkong Post staff. The Club, formed in 2001, with the vision to care for colleagues and to care for the community, has participated in voluntary community services such as visiting and helping the elderly, environmental protection, visiting hospitals, child homes and the disabled.
The Hong Kong Red Cross donation box in support of the "SARS Prevention" Campaign will also be available at each of the 39 philatelic offices. Donations will be spent on the provision of SARS preventive kits to the needy and vulnerable people as well as health education projects for the community.
In addition, a promotional flyer calling for the donation to the "We Care Education Fund" will also be distributed with the souvenir covers. The "We Care Education Fund", initiated by a group of civil servants, has been set up and administered by the Director of Social Welfare as Trustee. The donations will be offered as financial assistance to eligible children whose parents have died of SARS.
Starting from May 12, 2003, each queuing customer will be given no more than two covers. Hand-back service to the souvenir covers will be provided with the use of the respective pictorial postmarks at 39 philatelic offices.
End/Saturday, May 10, 2003
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