Telethon raises over Dh132m

A massive Dh132 million-plus was raised in donations during the 12-hour telethon organised on Tuesday to support the Palestinian cause - with donations ranging from a Rolls Royce to wedding jewellery, and even a woman offering one of her kidneys.

This was revealed during a press conference held yesterday to announce the final results of the fund-raising television programme organised under the banner "We Are All For Palestine!"

Ibrahim Bu Melha, Dubai Attorney General and Deputy Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanit-arian and Charity Foundation, said that the telethon was a resounding success as the event raised much more than expected within 12 hours.

"We were amazed by the enthusiasm shown by people who took part in the telethon," he said.

"We would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry, for donating Dh50 million during the telethon.

"We also would like to thank businessmen, charity organisations, philanthropists and every one who contributed to make the telethon a complete success."

Announcing the final results of the telethon, Bu Melha said a total of Dh132,695,600 million had been collected from 3,333 donors.

"The donations included ten kilos of gold worth Dh330,000 donated by women, in addition to some cheques and cash contributions worth Dh1,300,000 which were handed over through Dubai TV," Bu Melha said.

The amount donated in person at Dubai TV was Dh1.3 million. An amount of Dh9.3 million was raised at different donation points across the UAE.

Some Dh9,300,000 was donated through various charitable organisations around the country. An Arab businessman who wanted to remain anonymous donated a whopping Dh3 million.

Another generous contribution of a Rolls Royce car was made by a female philanthropist. The car was sold in an auction for Dh2 million to an Arab Muslim businessman from Canada.

"People showed great willingness to support and back the Palestinians in their suffering from the siege and atrocities of the Israeli forces. I can't describe how touched I was by the generous contributions made by the philanthropists behind the scenes. Even very young children lent their support to the event with their little donations," Bu Melha pointed out.

An eight-year-old child took off her gold chain to support the Palestinians. Another three-year-old contributed all her 120 paintings.

"One of the women donated her wedding jewellery, another donated her wedding dress worth Dh124,000.

"Another donated one of her kidneys, and some donated blood," Bu Melha added. The telethon was organised by the Foundation in cooperation with Dubai Television, and was launched with the initiative of the Dh20 million donated by Sheikh Mohammed.

Abdul Latif Al Gargawi, Dubai TV programme controller, said that the coverage of the fund-raising campaign will continue through the Dubai TV programme, 'Good Evening Dubai'.

The programme will be aired from 7pm to 8pm every day starting from Saturday "until the end of the Israeli occupation", he stressed.

"The programme aims to encourage people to support the cause. We need to use the media to the premium level to back our brothers in Palestine," Al Qarwai added.