As the Chinese capital beefs up its fight against SARS, Beijing citizens from all walks of life are lending a hand in the form of donations. The Beijing Donation Receiving Organization, which was set up more than a week ago, has been busy all along dealing with donations in both cash and material.

Among those turning up with contributions to show their sympathy for the victims of the unexpected calamity are a number of organizations. But most donors are just ordinary residents of Beijing.

Donations come largely in the form of medicine, food and equipment. A lady contributed a precious herbal medicine she brought from Tibet.

Officials at the donation receiving organization said that besides the donation hotline and the center, contributions can also be sent via post offices and banks.

Ding Kaishan, from Beijing Donation Receiving Organization, said: "Most of the donations are allocated to medical departments. And some of them will also be sent to those SARS victims with a low income. "

The donation handling center has received a total of about 9.8 million US dollars. 240,000 of that has been allocated to the You'an Hospital which has been especially appointed to treat SARS patients.

(cctv.com May 1, 2003)