UNICEF collects old European currencies for benefit of world's children

With the euro now replacing currencies in 12 European countries, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has begun collecting the old bank notes and coins to benefit young people around the world.

From the end of February, the national currencies of the euro currency zone countries will no longer be usable, but even after that date, UNICEF will be able to convert these funds in its life-saving efforts in more than 160 countries.

Currency will be collected by national committees for UNICEF in many States as part of UNICEF's Change for Good programme, which was established in 1987 to give airline passengers a convenient way to help the world's children by donating their leftover bills and coins.

The agency called the conversion to the euro "an unprecedented opportunity to raise even more funds for UNICEF's Change for Good programme - both in the air and on the ground."