ON December 1 Georgi Purvanov, President of Bulgaria, and Zorka Purvanova, Bulgaria’s first lady, launched the start of the charity campaign “Bulgarska Koleda (Bulgarian Christmas). Give a hope to a child in need”.

The campaign, under the patronage of Purvanov, was launched for the first time in 2003 and was aimed at raising funds for treatment of sick Bulgarian children and buying medical equipment and materials for children’s hospitals.

Purvanov announced the start of the campaign while visiting the National Cardiological Hospital, one of the beneficiaries of  last year’s campaign. He told journalists that the last two rounds of the campaign raised more than 2.5 million leva, making it something to be valued.

Bulgarian hospitals often have to work with old-fashion medical equipment, inhibiting Bulgarian medical workers from working in the same conditions as their colleagues in EU countries.

Unfortunately for some children in Bulgaria, charity has remained the only remedy to their health problems, Purvanov said.

“The struggle for their life starts at the moment they are born. Here in this hospital I see children who have had surgery and are recovering well, thanks to the funds raised by the campaign. It is worth it to give some hope to them and their families,” he said.

Purvanov noted that charity, as well as solidarity, was among the best values of the Bulgarian society and should not be underestimated.

Popular Bulgarians who are supporting this year’s campaign include writer Valeri Petrov, French pop star of Bulgarian origin Sylvie Vartan, actors Tatayna Lolova and Marin Yanev, painter Svetlin Roussev, TV and pop star Deo, and Olympic champion Maria Grozdeva.

In 2003, the campaign raised a total of 1.3 million leva and helped 27 sick children.

An example of the campaign’s achievement is six-year old Gergana, who, after a surgery financed by the campaign, managed to have her hearing restored.

Another of the Bulgarian Christmas Children is eight year-old Ivan Vassilev from Veliko Turnovo. He suffers from cerebral palsy and was treated with a revolutionary method in a clinic in Moscow. The whole operation was financed by the campaign and the child improved amazingly.

In 2004, the funds raised came to 1.2 million leva and 15 children received help with medication. Six hospitals, as well, were endowed with modern equipment.

The two previous campaigns were characterised by vast public support. Thousands of schoolchildren gave money, as well as teachers and pensioners form all over the country, which, in regard of the economic state of most Bulgarians, was something Purvanov considered unique.

Together with Purvanov, partners in the campaign are Bulgarian National Television (BNT); Nova Television; the country’s mobile operators M-Tel, Globul and Vivatel; and fixed network operator BTC. Other media partners for this year’s campaign are the newspapers Trud, 24 Hours and Standart, as well as Bulgarian National Radio, the private Darik Radio and the Association of Bulgarian Radio Operators.

People can send SMS through the network of the mobile operators at the cost of one leva each. For M-Tel, Globul and Vivatel subscribers the number is 1117 and BTC subscribers can call 0900 1117.

People can donate funds to the account of United Bulgarian Bank, with number 1045397416 and bank code 20080023, Sveta Sofia branch. Another means of donation is the Internet payment system www.ePay.bg. This year the campaign has its own website www.bgkoleda.bg, where people can get information about the campaign and make donations.

The funds raised will be donated after the signing of a protocol between Purvanov, BNT and Nova Television.

Following the tradition of the previous years, a charity concert will be held at the National Opera and Ballet on December 25. The concert will be broadcast live and will include performances by popular Bulgarian artists, as well as  appearances by some of the children who received help from previous rounds of the campaign.

The funds raised this year will be divided among four children’s hospitals - two in Sofia and one each in Plovdiv and Bourgas. This year, the campaign aims to help 14 particular children who need highly expensive treatment and care.