Nearly 100 youngsters in Shanghai who signed as volunteers to assist quake-hit Sichuan Province on Sunday gathered at the city's Century Park to receive basic training from local governmental organizations, firemen and doctors.

Organizers posted invitations for volunteers on online forums. "We want to show people how to be a qualified volunteer in quake-hit areas," said Chen Tian, secretary general of charyou.org, a social welfare Web site which assisted in the recruitment. "And I'm glad to see so many young people coming to support earthquake survivors."

On Sunday, officials from the Jing'an District fire brigade showed volunteers how to rescue survivors from under rubble, and how to protect themselves when an earthquake hits. Doctors from Huashan Hospital showed how to give first aid to the injured.

"Volunteers must be equipped with knowledge of self-protection, otherwise they will cause trouble rather than giving help," said Hu Hongbao, an official with the fire brigade.

Local NGOs have warned volunteers not to go to the quake-hit areas without proper training. They called for people with medical, hygiene or power and water knowledge to go to the areas to help.

Volunteers should also have good communication abilities to talk with survivors.

On Saturday, more than 5,000 white-collar workers participated in a charity run at Century Park to raise funds for children in quake-devastated Sichuan Province.

Organized by the Shanghai Charity Foundation and the China International Intellectech Shanghai Corp, the event raised more than 1.3 million yuan (US$187,287).

The participants wrote slogans on white T-shirts, such as "Go, Wenchuan!" and "We're always with you!" to encourage earthquake survivors.

(CRIENGLISH.com May 26, 2008)