Flag days in 2021-22
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A spokesman for the SWD said today (March 31) that in order to allow more organisations to conduct flag sales, 28 flag days have been assigned as Regional Flag Days in 2021-22. On each Regional Flag Day, three organisations will sell flags to solicit donations concurrently, one each on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and in the New Territories.
For easy identification, the spokesman said that flag day organisers are required to put the name of the organisation and the mark "Approved by Social Welfare Department" on the money collection bags. Moreover, some approved flag day organisers will 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 make a report to the SWD and inform the Police of any loss of property, and seek their help if fraudulent acts such as tampering with collection bags or unauthorised fundraising are noted.
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 the SWD hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
The spokesman also said that the Government has promulgated the "Good Practice Guide on Charitable Fund-raising" to help charities to improve the transparency and accountability of their charitable fund-raising activities. The Good Practice Guide covers areas on donors' rights, fund-raising practices and financial accountability. The Good Practice Guide is accessible on the SWD's homepage.
Ends/Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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