Bt1.3 bln from rocker’s charity run handed over to 11 hospitals

BANGKOK, Feb 26 (TNA) - Rocker Artiwara "Toon" Kongmalai gave 1.3 billion baht fund, raised in his two-month charity run from Thai South in Yala to the northernmost province of Chiang Rai to eleven hospitals across the country for purchasing medical equipment. Toon, the front man of the Body Slam rock band, and his team of “Kao Kon La Kao”, or “Take One Step Each”, campaign handed over the donation money to representatives of all 11 hospitals at Vachirabenjatas Park or Rot Fai Park in Bangkok on Sunday. The donations were collected during his 2,215-km charity run from Betong district in Yala to Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai late last year. The fund was allocated, based on the number of hospital bed to 11 hospitals including Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok and other hospitals in Yala, Surat Thani, Suphanburi, Saraburi, Khon Kaen, Ratchaburi, Prachin Buri, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Nan. The campaign continues to receive more donations until May 31 and will hand over the rest of the money to these hospitals later. After the handover ceremony, Toon joined about 2,100 people participated in the 5-km charity run at Vachirabenjatas Park to raise four million baht fund for Mai Kaen Hospital in the southernborder province of Pattani to buy two X-ray machines. The hospital asked for an urgent help after the X-ray machines there have been out of order. (TNA)