Chinese beggar, shoeshine women give their earnings to quake victims

New Delhi, May 23 : A homeless beggar in his 60s and a middle-aged shoeshine woman have come to epitomize people's selflessness in supporting the victims of the Sichuan earthquake.

The beggar, named Xu Chao, with long grey hair and shabby clothes, has won wide acclaim in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, for donating money several times.

He started with five yuan at a donation centre run by the city's civil affairs department on Saturday morning.

In the afternoon, he slipped 100 yuan into the box, muttering: "For the victims in the disaster areas."

His generosity was soon noticed and he became a well-known figure in the city thanks to coverage in the local media.

Many people went up to him on the street to express their admiration and gratitude.

Some passers-by, moved by his gesture, gave him money, which he promptly went and donated, The China Daily reported.

In Hunan province, the shoeshine woman in Shuangfeng county donated 182 yuan on Monday, her whole day's income.

ANI