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Fifty-four organisations had been granted permission to raise funds during July 2008, a Social Welfare Department (SWD) spokesman said today (June 27).
The organisations will sell flags, badges or tokens, or place donation boxes in designated public places.
Special arrangements apply on July 5, 16, 26 and 30 when three organisations will conduct flag sales on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories respectively. Flag selling hours are between 7am and 12.30pm.
The department has also allocated three non-Saturday flag days which are school holidays on July 16, 23 and 30 (all fall on Wednesdays).
Any organisation planning to hold activities involving collection of money or sale or exchange for donations of badges, tokens or similar articles in a public place for charitable purposes should apply for a public subscription permit from the SWD.
Activities covered by public subscription permits are listed on the department's website: www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew/.
People are welcome to visit the department's website or call the department's hotline at 2343 2255, or SWD headquarters at 2832 4311, during office hours if they have any doubts regarding the fund-raising activities.
The spokesman appealed to organisers to take precautions against any possible fraud.
The flag day organisers are required to put on the money collection bags the name of the organisation and mark 'This flag day has been approved by the Social Welfare Department'," he said.
"Organisers of general fund-raising activities other than flag sales should prominently display the permit at the place where the fund-raising event is held. Proper identification, for example, name cards or tags, should also be provided for staff and volunteers who are directly involved in the fund-raising activities", he added.
The spokesman also advised organisations holding flag days to prepare guidelines for volunteers, setting out the places and the schedule for fund-raising and the collection points for flag bags.
"Organisers should inform the Police in the case of loss of property, and seek their help when fraudulent acts, such as tampering with collection bags or unauthorised fundraising, are found," he said.
The spokesman added that in the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police.
The Government has promulgated the "Reference Guide on Best Practices for Charitable Fund-raising Activities" for voluntary compliance by charitable organisations. Members of the public may browse the Reference Guide on SWD homepage www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_referenceg/.
Please find a list of organisations which will be fund-raising for victims of the Sichuan earthquake in July 2008 at Appendix I. Please refer to Appendix II for other fund-raising activities to be held in July 2008.
Ends/Friday, June 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:40
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