Traditional New Year's Day charity event held in Belgrade

Traditional New Year's Day charity event held in Belgrade

Mali urged all those who can help to financially support a newly established fund that will be used to pay for treatment abroad of children who cannot receive adequate medical help in the country.

The mayor wished a happy new year to Belgraders, and noted in his address that the traditional event gathers on average more than 100,000 people each year. The president of the fund's supervisory board, Tamara Luksic-Orlandic, said that more than EUR 4 million have been collected in over a month, and that 17 applications have so far been received, while the first child whose treatment will be paid for by the fund will be sent to Belgium on January 5.

She noted that the fund has "a private-public character," while an increasing number of companies wishes to join. The supervisory board will "monitor how the gathered money is spent and publish everything on it website," she added.

Atelje 212 theater Director Branimir Brstina also addressed all those who turned out today to support the event despite the very cold weather in the capital. The traditional annual campaign has become a symbol promoting Belgrade's humanitarian values. This year it has the goal of promoting the fund and spurring donors and the public to support those children in need of medical treatment abroad.

The event is this year organized by the City of Belgrade, the Tourist Organization of Belgrade, the Star Grad Municipality, the Atelje 212 theater, and Radio Beograd 202.