The Porron Cup Contest at Migas. [Photo provided to China Daily]

This year funds will go toward supporting operations in new Orbis projects in Jinan starting in January and in Shenyang.

Orbis' signature Flying Eye Hospital, which looks like an ordinary aircraft outside, but is an ophthalmic hospital and teaching facility inside, will be in Shenyang next September and will bring with it a group of volunteer medical professionals who will help train staff from Orbis partner hospitals.

"I would love to take a group of Maovember donors to the project in Jinan or to Shenyang to visit the Flying Eye Hospital program and see our sight-saving work first hand," Smith says.

Alexandra Jennings, from Adelaide, Australia, an academic adviser and teacher at Muffy's International Kindergarten in Beijing, says that each year she buys a Maovember pin and donates an additional 800 yuan to fund one operation, and takes part in several Maovember fundraisers.

"I attended many events last year, but did not keep a count of how much I spent, but I guess about 3,000 yuan."

Apart from Maovember, Jennings says, she often donates money and time to other groups and tries to assist other organizations through her school with bazaars and food and clothing drives.

"I generally give money and donations to people and groups where I can be sure that the money and items will definitely go to the people it is being raised for."

She is a good friend of Boyce, she says, "and I admire his dedication to running this event".

Boyce says: "Doing charity is a cultural thing and part of my life. And I can finally be devoted to a work that I'm not paid for. ... And it's a matter of trust.

"We also take photos of donors, with permission, of course, with their pins and make online collages to show our appreciation."