From playgrounds to boardrooms, Hong Kong comes together for Operation Santa Claus

What brings Hongkongers together to battle it out on the squash courts, run around the city’s landmarks dressed in red and green, and show off their culinary skills in a cook-off?

It’s the annual Operation Santa Claus (OSC) fundraising drive.

Dating back to the 1960s, when RTHK presenters began staging creative charity stunts – including winter dives into Victoria Harbour – to raise funds for underprivileged children, the initiative was resurrected in 1988 by RTHK and the South China Morning Post. Since then, OSC has grown into one of Hong Kong’s most recognised and trusted charity campaigns.

This year, it aims to raise at least HK$11 million (US$1.4 million) to support those in need.

“We’re trying to unlock the city’s spirit of giving,” said Rachel Chow Chiu-yan, senior manager of SCMP Charities Limited, which manages the campaign. “We’re trying to mobilise the whole city.”

Although Hong Kong is wealthier today, it still faces challenges such as inadequate support for injured workers, teenagers struggling with mental health issues and children living with rare diseases.