A newly established Website helping the poor received its first donation from a local woman after being put into service in Shenzhen on Saturday, its founder Zou Tao was quoted as saying by the Shenzhen Economic Daily yesterday. 

The donor, known as Ms. Zhu, donated 100 yuan (US$12) to the Website -- www.szhelp.cn -- for a teenager who was injured in an accident, the report said.

Zou, a volunteer, said he received so many calls for aid each day that he could not handle it alone, which prompted him to do something to extend help to more needy people.

"That's why I set up the Website," Zou said. "I hope it serves an effective bridge between the needed and donors."

According to Zou, people in need of help are required to register their personal data on the Website, including real names and telephone numbers. Volunteers with the Website will verify the information before accepting their applications.

The donor can choose the recipient.

Zou said the Website will update recipient information and stop collecting money as soon as the amount is enough for a recipient.

Zou said his Website is open to media scrutiny.

More than five volunteers have joined Zou to work part-time on the Web site so far, Zou said,

"We don't get payment. What drives us to do this is love," he said.

Along with the Website, Zou has also set up a hotline: 0755-22057778 for aiding the poor.

(Shenzhen Daily April 18, 2006)