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The Postmaster General, Mr Tam Wing-pong, today (June 27) announced that a total of $1,375,000 was raised through the Limited Edition Prestige Stamp Products with Giant Panda Paw Print (3,500 sets of Stamp Pack with Giant Panda Paw Print and 10 sets of Box Set with Clay Impression of Giant Panda Paw Print). All the proceeds will be donated to the "Sichuan Earthquake Relief Giant Panda Base Rebuilding Fund" set up by the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation of Hong Kong.
"Appointed" by pandas Ying Ying and Le Le to produce stamp products to raise funds for the rebuilding of panda facilities in their homeland, Hongkong Post produced two types of limited edition prestige products with Giant Panda paw print. Due to the overwhelming response at the close of the extended deadline on June 23, 90 applications for the 10 stamp box sets and 6,198 applications for the stamp packs were received. A balloting by computer was conducted to allocate the products. Successful subscribers will receive notification from Hongkong Post for collection of the items on July 1.
However, there will be a last chance for those who support the fund-raising drive by Ying Ying and Le Le to buy the last 500 sets of Limited Edition Prestige Stamp Pack with Giant Panda Paw Print, which have been reserved for sale at the Giant Panda Habitat Souvenir Shop at Ocean Park Hong Kong on July 1 starting from 10am. When all special products are sold, a total of $1.5 million will be raised.
Member of the Executive Council, Mr Rafael Hui Si-Yan, will present the donation on behalf of Hongkong Post to the Chairman of Ocean Park Hong Kong, Dr Allan Zeman, and Chair of Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, Ms Judy Chen, at a ceremony to be held on the morning of July 1 (Tuesday) at Ocean Park Hong Kong to mark the release of the "Giant Pandas" Special Stamps.
Since July 1 is a public holiday, only two post offices, namely General Post Office and the Airport Post Office, will be open for business under the normal holiday arrangement. However, in anticipation of the wishes of the public to obtain the First Day Covers and other special philatelic products, all the 37 philatelic offices will be open to sell the "Giant Pandas" special stamps and associated products. For the addresses and opening hours of the philatelic offices, please see Hongkong Post¡¦s website, www.hongkongpost.com, or call the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.
Ends/Friday, June 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:51
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