The result of our annual charitable fundraiser, which is the biggest fundraiser taking place in Poland, surpassed our expectations. We raised money despite the pandemic, accounting for all restrictions and putting our volunteers' health and safety and benefactors first. Even though we had to move the date of our Grand Finale fundraiser and emphasise safe, online donation options, we decided to go forward with our charitable collection, one of the highlights for local communities and Polish communities overseas.
We have never been and will never be driven by setting new fundraising records; on the contrary, we are always the happiest when we hear about small, local initiatives, which show that people are participating in our fundraiser. We are delighted when we hear about activists from Polish communities overseas who, despite the distance from Poland, from their homeland, decided to showcase our charity in their communities. Our fundraiser is all about communities coming together, about people showing that they are active in their communities, about neighbours supporting each other. Only together, we can build a country that is a place of tolerance, friendship, and responsibility.
The money we raised in 2021 will be used to buy high-class, super modern medical equipment for public paediatric hospitals in Poland. Each year, based on hospitals and medics' demands and needs, we select the Grand Finale fundraiser's medical objective. This year, we raised money to buy devices for children's ENT medicine - focusing our efforts on increasing the level of care offered to the youngest of patients at laryngological, otolaryngological and head diagnostic wards in the country.
The result would not have been possible without the participation of our volunteers and local Collection Centres. This year we were joined by 1362 Collection Centres, which raised 46,6% of the sum. There were also 79 Collection Centres based overseas. However, the majority of donations flew from the internet - a variety of online payments, which closely mimicked the traditional donation experience, brought almost 64% of the sum. For those chasing that interaction with volunteers, there were 75 000 volunteers fundraising in the streets.
Next's year's 30th anniversary Grand Finale will take place on January 30th, 2022.
We have officially begun preparations to hold the 2021 Grand Finale fundraiser, and the process of Collection Centre registration is now live on our websites. Local Collection Centres coordinate the work of volunteers and hold the local editions of the fundraiser.
Jurek Owsiak travelled to Kołobrzeg to unveil two new location commemorating of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation - one a brand new roundabout and the second one - a whimsical statue of a seagull representing a volunteer.
We raised PLN 17 234 732 (over EUR 3 800 000) through 1% tax donation. Polish revenue allows taxpayers to choose a non-governmental organisation which will receive a donation amounting to 1% of their tax.
