Operation Santa Claus 2013, the Christmas appeal run jointly by Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK and the South China Morning Post, has raised a record US$2.7 million (HK$21 million) for local charities.
Run every year since 1988, the project picks several non-profit organisations – often lesser known charities – to receive a portion of the cash collected.
A fund-raising campaign is run in the newspaper, radio and television and through several on-ground events throughout November and December.
This year, 18 organisations were chosen to share $21, 093,533 including a shelter for women migrants in crisis, a therapy centre for young people with autism, and an NGO that arranges outings for dementia patients and their caregivers.
The biggest corporate donation came from UBS at HK$5 million followed by Morgan Stanley with HK$3.2 million.
Other fundraising highlights included the setting of a new Guinness Record for visiting the most subway/transit stations in the least time, a Santa in the Sand day out at Stanley beach and a White Christmas Street Fair.
Over the past 26 years, Operation Santa Claus has raised a total of HK$188 million.
Listen to the closing ceremony here.