More than 200 entrepreneurs and managers attended the 9th annual "Take a Child by the Hand" charity program to aid disadvantaged children on June 25 in Beijing.

Aiming to generate funds to provide medical care to needy orphans and children, the event is supported by the EU Delegation to China and organized in cooperation with Operation Blessing China and China Charity Federation.

Peter Maize, China regional director of Operation Blessing China, indicated his organization is dedicated to deliver assistance to those people who need help.

He told China.org.cn: "Many people can benefit through free medical clinics where hundreds get a chance to see a doctor. We try our best to help more needy children."

During the first three months this year, Operation Blessing China hosted 29 medical clinics in western and central China, treating 11,413 villagers.

"This spring we provided hearing aids to children so that they can listen to the world around them, offered medical check-ups to thousands of elderly villagers and built cisterns in areas that suffer constantly from lack of rain," Maize said.

This year's charity program attracted many corporate sponsors, such as Nokia, Airbus, CB Richards Ellis, and Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel.

Chris Brooke, president and CEO of CB Richard Ellis, Asia and China, said he's very pleased that his company can help additional children benefit from high-quality medical treatment.

"We hope that initiatives of this nature clearly demonstrate our commitment to the community within which we operate, as well as our focus upon the provision of assistance to individuals who are truly in need of our support," Brooke said.

According to Operation Blessing China, the majority of the funds are used to fund essential surgery for orphans, which not only improve their health but also increase their chances of being adopted.

From 2006, 37 orphans received life-saving operations and 31 more received life-transforming operations. Apart from surgery, 80 orphans were given free medical checkups and a group of 18 orphans were given an opportunity to attend summer camp. Furthermore, 3 orphanages caring for over 300 orphans received nutritional drinks valued at 150,000 yuan.

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