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A total of 124 organisations out of 218 applications received have been approved to hold flag days to raise funds for their charitable projects on 52 Saturdays and ten Wednesdays which fall on school or public holidays in 2011-12. Flag sales will be conducted from 7am to 12.30pm on the approved flag days.
A spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said today (April 15) that in order to allow more organisations to conduct flag sales, 31 flag days had been assigned as Regional Flag Days in 2011-12. On each Regional Flag Day, three organisations will sell flags to solicit donations concurrently, one each on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories respectively.
The spokesman said that for easy identification, the flag day organisers were required to clearly mark the name of the organisation on the money collection bags as well as to state "This flag day has been approved by the Social Welfare Department".
The spokesman appealed to flag day organisers to take precautions against any possible fraud. They should inform the Police of any loss of property and seek their help for fraudulent acts such as tampering with collection bags or unauthorised fund-raising being found.
People can visit SWD's homepage at www.swd.gov.hk if they wish to check information on flag days. They are also welcome to call SWD hotlines on 2343 2255, or on 2832 4311 during office hours.
The spokesman also said that the Government has promulgated the "Reference Guide on Best Practices for Charitable Fund-raising Activities" to facilitate the charities improve the transparency and accountability of their charitable fund-raising activities. The best practices of the Reference Guide cover areas on donors' rights, fund-raising practices and financial accountability. The Reference Guide is accessible from SWD homepage.
Attached is a list of flag days and organisations for fund-raising in 2011-12.
Ends/Friday, April 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:01
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