A woman donates money in Riyadh yesterday during a fundraising campaign in support of people in Syria.

Saudi Arabia collected nearly $32.5mn on the first day of a fundraising campaign to support people in Syria, where an uprising has left thousands dead, according to official figures yesterday. “The total cash donations collected by the national Saudi campaign in support of the brothers in Syria reached 121,771,811 riyals on the first day (Monday),” official news agency SPA reported. King Abdullah launched the campaign by donating 20mn riyals, said SPA. Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz followed by donating 10mn riyals, SPA reported. The campaign, which will last five days, also collected food, medical equipment, clothes, tents, blankets, and jewellery.