CIAC Street Fund Raising on 18/2/2007
Dragon Page Started the Chinese New Year (CNY) of the Pig by helping CIAC with a street fund raising event at the heart of Chinatown where probably 300,000 people showed up for the CNY Celebrations

London, 18th February 2007: The entire team from Dragon Page had an extremely busy Chinese New Year Day today in supporting CIAC to man its stall right at the heart of Chinatown. The CIAC stall was undoubtedly a tiny one, but it surely formed part of the highlight of the China in London programme hosted by Ken Livingston, the Mayor of London, and organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA) to celebrate the arrival of Chinese New Year of the Pig, and all things Chinese.

According to the Metropolitan Police, there were probably about 300,000 people showed up for the CNY Celebrations today.  People were just everywhere in Chinatown, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, and the surrounding areas from 11am to 7pm to enjoy the grand parade, dragon and lion dances, the best of traditional and contemporary Chinese arts and entertainments, and certainly the spectacular fireworks displays, as well as delicious food, delightful decorations, and  the cultural stalls.

Julius Tsui, CEO of Dragon Page said, “We had been warned but honestly we could have never imagined it was in such a large scale, and certainly had no clue what it was like when being surrounded by tens of thousands of people the whole day!”

Tsui continued, “ Both teams from Dragon Page and CIAC arrived at Chinatown to prepare for the stall early in the morning at around 8pm, but before we realised it, the crowd came in from nowhere! It was just impossible for us to leave the stall until after dark!”

It was definitely an exhausting day but Tsui had no complaints. He said, “Great atmosphere - it was all worth it and so meaningful! I had never seen so many happy faces in just one day. We were particularly pleased to see that there were many people who visited our stall and gave us opportunities to explain what CIAC does here for the community. It was clearly encouraging to have additional supports from Chinese and non-Chinese people from all over the places today. We really are very happy for CIAC.”  On top of that, Dragon Page today donated over 1,200 reusable bags, and some calendars to CIAC, and helped raise some much needed fund for the Centre.

Perhaps the only complaint from the team was that they missed the fireworks displays, twice on the same day! However, as Tsui said, they were not the only ones and so did their many neighbours who needed to man their own stalls. They certainly would join the host LCCA to encourage all visitors of the day to participate in the photo competition (www.lctca.co.uk) where they will have a chance to see what they have missed!

Everyone at Dragon Page wishes all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year of the Pig! Kung Hei Fat Choy (Cantonese) or Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin)!

Ends.

Notes to Editors

About The Chinese Information and Advice Centre (www.ciac.co.uk)


The Chinese Information and Advice Centre (CIAC) was established in 1982. It is a UK charity offering free legal advice and support to disadvantages Chinese people living in the UK. It is a registered charity (No. 800646) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 2306765).

About London Chinatown Chinese Association (www.chinatownchinese.com)


The London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA) was formed in August 1978. Its objective is to serve the Chinese community by responding to the needs of the businesses and residents of London’s Chinatown. Its aims are to enhance the area and to improve the quality of life for the entire community as well as the tens of thousands of visitors who come to Chinatown every year. It also strongly supports maintaining and developing Chinatown’s distinct character.

About China in London 2007 (www.london.gov.uk/mayor/culture/china)


Following the enormous success of China in London 2006, the capital is again celebrating all things Chinese with a season of events taking place during February and March 2007.  China in London 2007 was launched with a blaze of red Chinese lanterns in London’s West End. Oxford Circus will be lit up with the glow of exotic Chinese lanterns on 15-February and for the following month. The highlight of the season was the Chinese New Year festival and parade in central London on Sunday 18 February, marking the start of the Year of the Pig. China in London 2007 includes exhibitions, performances, children’s activities, films and special promotions at venues across the capital. For details of all the China in London 2007 events, see Visit London’s China in London website (www.visitlondon.com/whats_on/chinainlondon/).

About Dragon Page (www.dragonpage.net)


Founded in July 2006 by Julius Tsui, an experienced IT professional, Dragon Page is the first company of its kind in the UK to provide dedicated full IT-related services to the Chinese community. Its ultimate goal is to help raise the profile of the Chinese community in the UK, regardless of the country of origin or which sectors where these Chinese organisations operate in – may it be business, charities, churches, musicians, Chinese students’ societies within universities and colleges, or other non-profit organisations.