RUSSIA: Russian Santas march through central Moscow to collect presents for children who will have to celebrate New Year's Eve at a cancer clinic

Record ID: 861849

  • Title: RUSSIA: Russian Santas march through central Moscow to collect presents for children who will have to celebrate New Year's Eve at a cancer clinic
  • Date: 22nd December 2013
  • Summary: SANTAS POSING FOR PHOTO
  • Embargoed: 6th January 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Russian Federation
  • City:
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: General,Health,Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA85CAV46B2QF3ZJK8ZEFNNB34Z
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: About a hundred Santas marched through central Moscow on Sunday (December 22) to collect New Year presents for children suffering from cancer.
    Organised by Moscow volunteers, the march was open to any passers-by willing to don Santa's hat.
    "We are all gathering here to help children, those who are in hospitals and who will have to celebrate the New Year's Eve on a hospital bed. We want to bring them a holiday and support them, collect toys for them here in central Moscow so they will realize that they are not alone and there are people who support them and who want to be with them at this difficult time," said Vadim Kovalyov, one of volunteers dressed as Santa.
    Santas approached Muscovites wandering around doing Christmas shopping to buy toys and festive decorations and put them in the Santa bag.
    Next week the presents will be taken to one of Moscow's cancer clinics for children where volunteers will also stage a costumed holiday for more than 150 little patients.
    The New Year's Eve is traditionally the year's biggest holiday in Russia with family members exchanging presents and sitting down for a hearty midnight meal.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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