Organised in the midst of global economic crisis, the Bulgarska Koleda charity campaign 2008 managed to raise three million leva, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) announced on March 11 2009, citing officially released results.

Following the example of the first six years of the campaign, the money will be allotted for the treatment of seriously ill children as well as for buying medical equipment in various hospitals around the country.

This year, there were 174 applications submitted by parents with children in need of expensive treatment, and 38 requests from hospitals.

The money raised has been budgeted to help 111 children. In April 2009, funds will be allotted to 11 previously approved hospitals.

Bulgarska Koleda, which means "Bulgarian Christmas" in Bulgarian, is organised with the support of President Georgi Purvanov. He said, as quoted by BNR, that the campaign has had such success because of its transparency. Donating companies and individuals can see where they money go and who is benefitting from it.

However, Purvanov admitted that the initiative has often been criticised by skeptics and opponents who think that securing funds for extraordinary medical treatment is a responsibility of the state. But the charity campaign does not bereave the state of its responsibility, Purvanov said.

Thanks to Bulgarska Koleda, some important steps were initiated, the president said. Among them was the acknowledgement of some rare diseases, which were differentiated in a special group now aided by the Health Ministry and the National Health Insurance Fund.

In addition, a special fund for treatment of children was created by the Health Ministry and last year 20 million leva was allotted out of the 2008 state budget, Purvanov said.

A total of about 12 million leva has been raised since the campaign was first held six years ago. The money has been used to assist 300 children with their treatment and for the purchasing of medical equipment and ambulances for more than 76 healthcare facilities.