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Radiomarathon enters its 22nd year
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FINANCIAL aid of over €2.5 million was distributed to people with special needs and relative institutions by the Radiomarathon Foundation during the year 2010; an increase of approximately €40,000 from the previous year according to the foundation’s management committee.
Radiomarathon provides financial aid and support to children up to the age of 18 suffering from any illness and also people with special needs of any age. Its annual October fund-raiser is by far the biggest fund-raising event in Cyprus’ calendar and aims at raising awareness on the issues faced by people with special needs.
Speaking at a press conference in Nicosia ahead of the three-day 22nd Radiomarathon fund-raiser starting October 23, First Lady and Head of the management committee Elsi Christofias expressed her hope that this year’s event would enjoy the same success as previous years.
“The enthusiasm observed every year during the fund-raiser sends out a clear message that humanity and solidarity are values that characterise Cyprus’ society, so we are hopeful that this year event will be a success too” said Christofias.
Christofias said that there was an ever-growing need for the Foundation’s services, since Radiomarathon supported both individual cases and other institutions that take care of people with special needs.
Rea Georgiou, the state’s accountant and foundation’s treasurer, said that for the year 2011, the foundation had already splashed out €2 million in financial aid, while it was able to amass around €2.5 million in donations for 2010.
Radiomarathon was launched in 1990, after an initiative from the private radio station Super FM and Laiki Popular Bank. Since its inception, it has given over €24 million in aid to special needs children and almost €7 million in support to institutions, while it has raised over €38 million in donations.
Georgiou explained that the financial aid is given to address specific needs of entitled children such as the purchase of special equipment and the enhancement of specific school programmes. Speech therapists and physiotherapists are also employed.
The organisation is now sponsored and organised by the Cyprus Broadcasting Cooperation (CyBC) and Marfin Popular Bank, while the accounting firm Price-WaterhouseCoopers audits the Foundation’s finances for free.
Christofias said that the voluntary nature of the foundation was the crucial factor in changing taboos in society and establishing the fund-raiser as a huge social tradition. She said that the organisation complemented state efforts to help special needs people rehabilitate into society, and that both bodies had an excellent working relationship.
This year’s Radiomarathon activities kick off with love festivals and marches in all the cities from October 16 to 23. A total of 54 kiosks will be set up where people will be able to acquire information and donate, while roadside donations will take place on October 24 and 25.
