December 26 (BTA) - The 19th edition of the Bulgarian Christmas campaign, which President Rumen Radev launched under his auspices on November 30, raised 2,455,000 leva by the end of a charity show on the evening of December 25, the President's Press Secretariat reported on Sunday. This edition of the annual fundraiser, which will continue through 2022, will support children in need of emergency medical treatment and intensive care.

People have donated money by sending 345,000 text messages to telephone number 1117 and making calls at 0900 1117. The effort has been supported with 2,055,000 leva remitted to the Bulgarian Christmas initiative's bank account and 55,000 leva donated through ePay.bg.

Saturday's show at the National Theatre in Sofia was staged under the patronage of President Rumen Radev and his wife Dessislava Radeva. Prominent musicians, singers, dancers, actors, athletes and journalists took part in the concert. This year, the event was organized by Dream Team Productions and aired live on bTV and Bulgarian National Radio.

Messages of solidarity and sympathy for seriously ill children, issued by popular Bulgarian artists, Olympic champions, volleyball stars, physicians, public figures and journalists, were conveyed during the ceremony.

Since it was first launched, the Bulgarian Christmas initiative has raised about 40 million leva, the President's Press Secretariat said. Thanks to the active support provided by donors and partners, the campaign helps an average of 500 children annually and supplies cutting-edge medical equipment to 28 medical treatment establishments across Bulgaria.

For more information about Bulgarian Christmas and the donation methods, please visit www.bgkoleda.bg. VE

Photo: BTA

Source: Sofia