In the wake of the devastating Sichuan earthquake, overseas Chinese in Britain have come together in launching for the victims the largest ever fundraising appeal in the community.
On Sunday afternoon, a makeshift stage was set up in the middle of China Town which has become a tourist destination in the capital, with volunteers from Spectrum Radio and Christine Lee & Co Solicitors Limited presiding over the donation appeal.
"What the quake victims need is not just physical rescuing, it will be food, clothes, accommodation, and ultimately the reconstruction of all sorts. We have to do our bit," said Christine Lee, initiator of the British Chinese Get Active project aiming for Chinese to participate more in the political life in Britain.
On Monday when the earthquake was first reported, she phoned a counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Britain, offering to donate 2,000 pounds (4,000 U.S. dollars). Three days later, Lee pledged another 3,000 pounds (6,000 U.S. dollars) when overseas Chinese groups in Britain launched a joined fundraising committee to coordinate quake donations.
"Every penny counts. You could either help by offering services or through donations," said Gary Li, president of the Confederation of Chinese Associations UK.
Donations streamed in on Sunday. Most people left their donation with a heavy heart. Some stayed in front of the stage watching the show with tears in eyes.
The music and singing also drew British people and tourists, some of whom left their money after knowing about the fundraising.
Nine-year-old Zhang Ruilan from Chongqing, adjacent to Sichuan Province, came with her mom, sister and granny. She climbed onto the stage, calling out in Sichuan dialect: "Help the children in Sichuan."
A Mr. Wong in his 60s took out a stack of pound notes and inserted them into the donation box. He has just come back from Shenzhen in south China where he donated money in building a primary school in his hometown.
He would not like to talk more about the donation, saying it is only "something minor."