Bulgarian Christmas Charity Campaign Raises BGN 1.2 M

The charity collects funds each year to pay for the treatment of sick children, and for buying medical equipment for children hospitals and clinics. File photo

The sum of BGN 1 196 511 has been raised by the charity initiative "The Bulgarian Christmas" held under the patronage of outgoing President Georgi Parvanov.

Compared to previous years, the initiative is not a whooping success, as the amount is about two million levs below the record-high revenues fetched in 2007 and 2008.

The sum however is close to the one collected last year, when despite the economic downturn, Bulgarians donated BGN 1.24 M.

Similarly to previous years, a Christmas concert marked the culmination of the initiative. Short text messages and phone calls for the cost of EUR 0.5, as well as donations made to the bank account opened for the initiative during the concert contributed to about half of the amount collected.

The phone lines were left active until January 2. Donations now can be made to the bank accounts opened for the initiative.

The campaign was launched by Parvanov in 2002 with a view to raise money for the treatment of seriously ill Bulgarian children and to buy medical equipment for children's hospitals and clinics.

Outgoing President Parvanov, who has been the charity's patron throughout the years, has attributed the success of the Bulgarian Christmas to its transparency, honesty and noble cause.

The 8 previous editions of the 'Bulgarian Christmas' have raised over BGN 18.1 M, which has enabled the medical treatment of  1066 children, while 139 pediatric hospitals and clinics have received ambulances and medical equipment.

President-Elect Rosen Plevneliev has said he will continue the initiative, which Parvanov described as one of the biggest achievements he would leave to his successor.

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