Damiaan action expects record proceeds

29 January 2007

BRUSSELS – The Damiaan campaign, held throughout Belgium last weekend, is aiming for record proceeds this year. It collected a record amount of contributions last year as well. However it is too early to give an exact figure, the organisers said on Sunday.

Every year, in the last weekend of January, volunteers hit the streets to sell felt-tip pens to raise money for the Damiaan campaign.

The proceeds of the campaign go to projects to fight leprosy and tuberculosis in 16 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Young rap artists Brahim and Congolese boy Junior were the face of the campaign, and helped ensure its success, say the organisers.

“More young volunteers in particular took to the streets to sell pens. The campaign was much more visible.”

The first numbers indicate “an extremely positive result.” It will most likely be a few weeks before exact figures are available.

Subject: Belgian news