Sports day puts more cash in the bank
On a sunny Saturday morning in late October, enthusiastic cheering could be heard outside King's Park Sports Ground in Ho Man Tin.
Inside the park, parents and children were taking part in the RBS Coutts Family Sports Day - an event that allows the staff of RBS Coutts and their families to get together, take part in group activities and raise money for Operation Santa Claus.
During the fun-filled morning, children played and sat for caricature artists while adults wrestled sumo-style in costume and tried to move in-sync during a three-legged walk.
Also enjoying the occasion were members of the Little Life Warrior Society, a mutual aid organisation that benefits children with cancer.
The society is one of 13 beneficiaries chosen this year by Operation Santa Claus, the annual charity drive organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK.
RBS Coutts, the international private-banking arm of the RBS Group, invited the society to participate, and more than 30 children and their parents attended. They revelled in the exciting games, and competed without sparing any effort.
As the day was winding down, RBS Coutts presented an oversized cheque to an Operation Santa Claus representative. This year, the company raised HK$250,000 for the holiday appeal.
Ciro Ahmad, Hong Kong branch chief executive and head of wealth solutions in Asia, said it was important for RBS Coutts to help.
'Many people, including the wealthy, would like to help the less fortunate, but may not necessarily know where or how to start,' he said. 'Operation Santa Claus has made it easy because the donations reach out to a wide spectrum of beneficiaries in the city.
'At RBS Coutts, we believe in contributing to the communities in which we operate, and in promoting the spirit of giving in this festive season.'
From today, the Post will run its Christmas tree graphic with every Operation Santa Claus story.
The graphic allows Post readers to see the amount Operation Santa Claus has actually received so far this year, the number of days left in the holiday campaign and the logos of prominent sponsors.
Many individuals, groups and companies are already on board this year.
The Link Management has pledged money from the sale of Christmas-themed cushions.
The Wing Ding Squash Tournament raised more than HK$500,000 during its annual event. UBS donated nearly HK$250,000 from its initiatives at the UBS Hong Kong Open golf tournament. And Bank of America Merrill Lynch collected more than HK$111,000 from an afternoon of mini-golf inside its Central offices.
It's not just big companies contributing. The Discovery Mind Kindergarten raised more than HK$100,000 to help those in need during a special walkathon.
While more events are planned and many kind-hearted donations are coming in, Operation Santa Claus could use your support.
'The beauty of OSC is that everyone can contribute to help,' Deon Lai, the project director for Operation Santa Claus, said. 'Everyone can become Santa Claus to make others' dreams come true!'
You can help make a difference
How you can give
Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com
Donations can be made by ATM or at any HSBC branches: a/c number 502-676299-001 for SCMP CHARITIES LTD - OPERATION SANTA CLAUS
You can donate by cheque, payable to 'SCMP CHARITIES LTD - OPERATION SANTA CLAUS' and mailed to:
Operation Santa Claus, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you'd like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt, with your name, address and phone number, to the address above
