Money was still pouring in just after midnight Monday when Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) could report that its annual television fundraiser for a worthy cause had collected more than NOK 200 million (USD 33 million). This year’s beneficiary was Amnesty International, which tries to reveal and stop violations of human rights around the world.
“This shows that once again, the TV-aksjonen is one of the biggest fundraisers in the world,” said NRK boss Hans-Tore Bjerkaas. “I’m impressed over all those who have taken part.”
Last year’s benefit went to Norsk Folkehjelp (Norwegian People’s Aid) and it raised NOK 219 million. The record for contributions was set in 2006, when Norwegians donated NOK 238 million, mostly in the space of an evening, to UNICEF.
Amnesty International officials were grateful for all the money raised through door-to-door collecting, televised appeals from celebrities and direct phone calling.
“We weren’t allowed to reveal any concrete goals,” Amnesty’s secretary general in Norway, John Peder Egenæs, told NRK. “But my goal was in fact NOK 200 million.” Residents of Norway’s Arctic archipelago of Svalbard once again donated the most, giving an average of NOK 449 (USD 75) per person.
newsinenglish.no staff
