Radiomarathon kicks off

THE RADIOMARATHON enters its second day today, raising funds and awareness for people with special needs.

Starting from 6am yesterday, the streets were filled with hundreds of volunteers operating from 54 kiosks across the island and collecting money from drivers and passers-by.

Seven specialised vans will carry on with their fund-raising tour of villages today.

A Telemarathon on CyBC highlighted the day’s achievements and accepted pledges by telephone. There was also a television auction of art works and memorabilia, with bidding for President Glafcos Clerides’ desk chair and tenor Luciano Pavarotti’s neck tie and autographed pictures.

Several events took place in the marathon effort to raise funds and public knowledge of the problems faced by people with special needs.

Five representatives of the Pancyprian Association of Reserve Commandos began their two day journey from Latsi to Paralimni.

The first leg took the crew of a 7.5 meter inflatable boat from Latsi to Limassol, collecting contributions from Polis and Paphos on the way. Today funds will be collected from Limassol, Larnaca, Ayia Napa and Paralimni.

Veteran cyclist Michael Agrotis’ 12-hour bicycle tour meanwhile began at Ayia Napa yesterday, ending at Athienou. He will be leaving from Agros at 8.30 am today, finishing at Polemidia at 5.30 pm.

Paraplegics took part in a march from Yermasoyeia to Kofinou yesterday and will today march from there to Nicosia’s Eleftheria square.

The Runners’ Health Association ran from Palaiochori to Eleftheria square, while the Cyprus Motorcyclists’ Federation had a twelve-hour ride starting from Kato Pyrgos to the Ayios Nicolaos round-about.

Today, the Federation will end their journey – also at Eleftheria square.

Marathon runner Giannis Kourou came to Cyprus from Australia for the third year running for the occasion of the Radiomarathon. Yesterday he ran from Linopetra Gymnasium to Ypsonas. He will run from Aradippou Gymnasium to Xylotymbou today.

The mayor of Athens, Demetris Avramopoulos, also joined marched from George II square ending in Eleftheria square yesterday afternoon.

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