High hopes for annual charity drive

PEOPLE with special needs yesterday took over the benches of parliament ahead of the start of Radiomarathon this Monday.

Speaking to those assembled in the plenum, House President Demetris Christofias said he hoped this year’s charity fundraiser would break all records.

The AKEL leader said the event was not only aimed at raising funds for special needs children, but also promoted life values and mankind’s solidarity.

Christofias then called on the children, who had travelled to Nicosia from Lympia’s special needs school, to contribute to achieving this year’s Radiomarathon goals, saying nature sometimes wronged certain people whom the able-bodied should support and show solidarity.

Now in its 17th year, Radiomarathon is a two-day fundraising effort in aid of children with special needs. Organised by the Laiki Group and the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, it stretches beyond the island to the Cypriot communities in Greece, the UK, Australia, Canada, the US, Russia and South Africa.

From the proceeds of last year’s Radiomarathon a total of £1,103,914 had been distributed to institutions and individuals.

For this sixth year running, CyTA is also supporting the Radiomarathon. Among its various contributions, CyTA’s Charity Direct and Cybee services will enable people to make a donation by telephone.

To make a donation of £1 call 909 36 001, for a donation of £3 call 909 37 003, and for a donation of £5 call 909 38 005.

Donations can also be made through the Cybee service “Radiomarathon Donations” by sending the following text message to the number 7000: RM 1 for a donation of £1, RM 3 for a donation of £3 and RM 5 for a donation of £5.

Donations can also be made at any Laiki Bank Branch, through Laiki’s eBank or by visiting www.radiomarathonios.com.
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The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.