Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK mobilised around 1,300 senior citizens on Wednesday to take part in the annual Elderly Famine, an eight hour fast for charity.

The event was organised by RTHK Radio 5 – which targets the over 50s – along with World Vision  Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Baptist Hospital Au Shue Hung Health Centre.

Now it its 24th year, the fast raised funds for migrant children projects in the Guandong and Guangxi provinces in China.

The station set a fundraising target of US$232,000 ($HK1.8 million), hoping to collect enough money to provide education and counselling services to the youngsters.

This year’s top fundraiser was 73-year-old Yip Kam-fung who has been part of the Elderly Famine programme for over 20 years.

Through World Vision, she has visited some impoverished families in Ningxia and Yunnan.

Kevin Chiu, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Hong Kong said that without the ongoing support and commitment of all the participants, the event wouldn’t have lasted for 24 years.

“Many migrant children and their parents live in densely populated areas in the city. Busy and hardworking parents never find enough time to care for their children, who aren’t getting sufficient education resources from the city. Migrant children face all sorts of tough challenges. But thanks to your support, they can stay hopeful about their future.”

Over the years, the 8-Hour Elderly Famine has welcomed more than 40,000 participants and raised more than US$3.9 million (HK$30 million) for World Vision’s projects in different regions in China.