As midnight approached, the organizers announced that the money raised eclipsed the figure reached during last year’s fundraiser, which reached €2,288,000, although the exact figure will not be none until final pledges have been counted.
The event, which is the largest charity event held in Cyprus for the last 18 years, was due to end at midnight. To launch the event, President Demetris Christofias invited children to the Presidential Palace at the weekend, donning a magician’s cloak and hat before performing his own magic trick in front of a dazzled crowd of youngsters.
A total of 54 kiosks opened across the island at 6am on Monday, collecting donations until midnight last night. The event was organized by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation and Marfin Popular Bank, using the slogan “Only Love Can”.
Cyprus Airways will carry out a fund raising flight this Sunday to Mytilini while between October 31 and November 3, a fund-raising cruise to Rhodes will take place.
Apart from the kiosks set up in every town, 14 piggy-bank cars were also on tour while seven military vehicles visited army camps during the two-day event to collect money from across the island. Events were also held overseas where Cypriots reside. During the fundraiser, President Christofias promised to put people with special needs at the heart of his administration “people who have the need for the warmth and love of the state”.
By Stefanos Evripidou, Cyprus Mail, October 21, 2008|
