The 2009 Bulgarska Koleda (Bulgarian Christmas) charity campaign was launched on November 30 under the patronage of President Georgi Purvanov and First Lady Zorka Purvanova.

The seventh annual Christmas charity campaign aims, as in former years, to raise funds for medical care of ill children and for modern medical equipment and to provide much-needed supplies for children's hospital wards, a media statement by the President's office said.

Bulgarska Koleda raised more than two million leva last year by December 26 2008, including about 315 000 leva raised during a special charity concert.

Last year's charity concert was held at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and shown live on Bulgarian National Television (BNT), was attended by Purvanov and a number of senior state officials and celebrities.

More than 14.7 million leva was gathered collectively by the previous six editions of Bulgarska Koleda, of which more than 400 Bulgarian children were the benefactors to date. Medical equipment and ambulances worth 10.9 million leva were purchased and distributed to more than 90 children's hospitals across the country.

The initiative this year is again supported by M-Tel, Globul, and Vivacom. People may make donations by sending SMSes to the 1117 phone number (no code required) for the aforementioned three mobile operators and 0900 1117 specifically for stationary vivacom numbers. Each SMS will cost 1.20 leva with VAT. Additionally, donations can be made to United Bulgarian Bank IBAN: BG13UBBS80023300186210

In line with tradition, on Christmas Day, there will be a charity concert in the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, conducted by Magi Halvadjian, which will be aired live on BNT.

The money raised during the 2009 campaign will go towards treating 45 children, but depending on the amount of funds gathered, assistance will be provided to other children as well, the media statement said. Those 45 children urgently need specialist medical treatment which is not currently covered by the Bulgarian Health Ministry.