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Flag days in 2016-17
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     A total of 116 organisations out of 218 applications received have been approved to hold flag days to raise funds for their charitable projects on 50 Saturdays and eight Wednesdays which fall on school or public holidays in 2016-17. 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 (March 30) that in order to allow more organisations to conduct flag sales, 29 flag days had been assigned as Regional Flag Days in 2016-17. On each Regional Flag Day, three organisations will sell flags to solicit donations concurrently, one each on Hong Kong Island (HKI), in Kowloon (KLN) and in the New Territories (NT).

     The spokesman said that for easy identification, the flag day organisers are required to put on the money collection bags the name of the organisation and mark "Approved by Social Welfare Department". In addition, some approved flag day organisers would also use Octopus card readers on their allocated flag days with the pouches bearing the name of the respective organisations and the statement "Approved by 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 fundraising being found.

     Members of the public can visit the SWD's homepage (www.swd.gov.hk) and the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/fundraising) 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 help 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 the SWD homepage.

     Attached is a list of designated flag days and the respective organisers in 2016-17.

Ends/Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Issued at HKT 10:00

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