Polish charity breaks fundraising record
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
08.03.2016 14:40
The recent edition of Poland's annual winter fundraising bonanza the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP) beat its own record by almost PLN 20 million this year.
Jerzy Owsiak (R) reveals how much money was raised this year by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. Photo: PAP/Piotr Polak
Jerzy Owsiak, who founded the charity in 1993, revealed on Tuesday that WOŚP raised PLN 72 696 501 (16.8 million EUR) this time round, whereas in 2015 it garnered just over PLN 53 million.
The main fundraising day - the so-called grand finale - was on 10 January, which garnered about PLN 44 million.
As with last year's edition, the 2016 drive was aimed at providing treatment for children in pediatric and oncology wards, as well as for the elderly.
Besides auctions, funds were collected on 10 January by about 120,000 volunteers across Poland, with donors given the charity's trademark heart-shaped stickers. Concerts and other performances were held in towns and cities nationwide. (nh/pk)