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The Government is appealing to members of the public to show their generous support to a joint fund-raising event tomorrow (January 1) at the Hong Kong Stadium to help victims of the tsunami disaster.

Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, said the Government-led and support event is co-organised by five international relief organisations - the Red Cross, World Vision, Oxfam, United Nations Childeren's Fund and the Salvation Army, with the assistance of the Hong Kong Medical Association.

The event is also strongly supported by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR and the People's Liberation Army Garrison.

The fund-raising event, a television show produced by Television Broadcasts Limited, will be held from 3pm to 5pm on the New Year's Day at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Members of the public can either come to the show at the stadium or stay at home as it will be broadcast live by TVB Jade, RTHK-2 and Metro (FM997). A hotline 1872345 with 100 lines will be set up to accept donations from 3pm to 6pm that day.

Donation boxes will be placed at the main exits within the stadium to collect donations from the audience.

Highlights of the programmes include singing performance by Dr Fang Jin-sheng and orchestra performances by members of the Hong Kong Medical Association and students from Wah Yan College. The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups will give a choir performance .

Indonesians in Hong Kong will stage a dance performance to lend a helping hand to victims of their homeland.

A number of local pop singers including Andy Hui, Candy Lo, Edmond Leung, Miriam Yeung, Jade Kwan and Alex Fong will show their support by performing at the show.

Funds collected will be distributed among the five co-organising organisations for emergency relief operations in the affected areas.

Admission to the show will start from 1pm and is free on a first come, first served basis. The maximum capacity at the stadium will be 35,000.

In view of the cold weather, Mrs Tan appealed to those coming to the stadium to wear enough warm clothes as they will be sitting in open air.

"We have received encouraging support from the whole community, including charity organisations, political groups and warm-hearted citizens," Mrs Tan said.

Ends/Friday, December 31, 2004

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