************************************
Seventy-seven organisations have been granted permission to raise funds during December 2011, a Social Welfare Department (SWD) spokesman said today (November 30).
The organisations will sell flags, badges or tokens, or place donation boxes in designated public places.
December 10, 24 and 28 are designated regional flag days, with each of them having three organisations conducting flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and in the New Territories.
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). For details, people can also call the department's hotline at 2343 2255, or SWD headquarters at 2832 4311 during office hours.
"In the case of suspected fraudulent fundraising activities, members of the public should not make any donation. They should report any suspected illegal activities to the police immediately," the spokesman said.
He also appealed to organisers to take precautions against any possible fraud.
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".
Organisers of general fundraising activities other than flag sales should prominently display the permit at the approved location where the fundraising event is held. Each member of staff of the fundraiser shall wear an identification tag printed with the name, logo (if applicable) and telephone number of the Permittee.
The spokesman also advised organisers of flag days to prepare guidelines for volunteers, setting out the places and the schedule for fundraising 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 Government has promulgated the "Reference Guide on Best Practices for Charitable Fund-raising Activities" for voluntary compliance by the charitable organisations. Members of the public may browse the Reference Guide on the SWD homepage
(www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_referenceg).
Attached please find a list of organisations granted permission to raise funds in December 2011. The list only includes permits issued up to November 25.
Ends/Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:07
NNNN
