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Written by Alex Elmadjian
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Thursday, 29 October 2009 12:39 |
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An interfaith group of 33 participants, representing 14 different nationalities, raised over €2,500 ($3,750) in a 20km sponsored walk on Sunday 25 October for the ‘Make-a-Wish’ foundation, the Cyprus charity for children suffering from cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
The walk started and ended at the new ‘Meeting Point’ community centre, operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, opposite Molos Park on the Limassol seafront and extended 10km to the Blue Berry Cafe on Amathountos Avenue, which served as the half-way checkpoint.
Make-a-Wish director, George Penintaex and other volunteers were present to inspire participants with examples of how the money raised could be used to provide support and bring happiness to suffering children and their families. Also present was one of the children for whom this charity walk would benefit.
Many walkers commented afterwards that the enjoyment of the walk with friends and the sense of personal satisfaction they felt made the aches, pains and enduring the 31C temperature worthwhile. For the three young children who took part, it was just a new way to have fun. The youngest, 4 year old Daniel Aboozar, completed 8½km with apparently no pain afterwards!
Commenting on the event afterwards, walk organiser Pastor David Cox explained that much had been learned from the experience, and shared his hope that a much larger and more international event could be organised for 2010. “Everybody gains in an event like this,” he said. “Sponsors, walkers, support staff, and of course the recipients of the help provided by Make-a-Wish all benefit in different ways. So why not 500 or 1000 participants next year, and share the happiness of walking for others in this way?”
Make-a-Wish and Meeting Point organisers wish to thank the Apollonia Beach hotel, the Dream Cafe and the Blue Berry Cafe for making their facilities available as checkpoints for the walk, and to Goody’s Restaurant for providing food for all the participants.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 29 October 2009 12:48 |
