NGO Folkhälsan, which organises Finland's annual Lucia event and charity drive, has announced that it has raised a record sum this year — about four times more than in previous years.
Donations have so far totalled around 640,000 euros, with the campaign running until midnight on Friday, according to the NGO's HR and development director, Stina Heikkilä.
According to Heikkilä, the fundraiser's exceptional success is linked to the racism debate surrounding the Lucia figure.
"In previous years, the total has been under 200,000 euros, but this year, donations have multiplied. Messages received via MobilePay and email show that thousands of people wanted to express their support for anti-racism efforts and Folkhälsan’s work through their contributions," Heikkilä said.
Folkhälsan reported in December that Owusu, whose father is from Ghana and mother Finnish, had received thousands of racist messages on social media.
News about the racist abuse directed at Owusu even sparked condemnation from President Alexander Stubb and many others.
The fundraiser collected just under 160,000 euros in 2023. Heikkilä said the final total for 2024 will be confirmed once all payments are processed.
Supporting families in tough situations
The funds raised will support families with children facing challenges, as the fundraising permit mandates that the money be allocated for this purpose.
While the funds cannot be directly used for anti-racism work, Heikkilä emphasised that Folkhälsan remains committed to actively promoting equality and inclusivity.
In December, police began a preliminary investigation into the hate messages directed at Owusu, following a criminal complaint from her and her close circle.
Saint Lucia Day, with Catholic and Orthodox roots, is widely celebrated in Finland, particularly in Swedish-speaking communities.
Each year, a young woman is chosen through a public vote to wear a wreath of live candles in a ceremony at Helsinki's Lutheran Cathedral, as part of the charity fundraising initiative.