At a ceremony taking place at the Cyprus Red Cross Society (CRCS) premises on May 8, 2023, President Nikos Christodoulides opened the CRCS Pancyprian Fundraiser, held again this year with the support of OPAP Cyprus, with a special commemoration of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.
The Pancyprian Fundraiser, established in 1991, will last until May 28 and aims to support the social, humanitarian programmes of the Cyprus Red Cross, which the President of the Republic described as very significant. President Christodoulides referred to the CRCS’ decisive interventions in humanitarian issues concerning the island, as well as of the wider region, due to conflicts and natural disasters.
Announcing the start of the Fundraiser, the President of the Republic congratulated CRCS President Fotini Papadopoulou, the staff and the volunteers for the work they do, assuring them the Government stood by them. He also thanked OPAP Cyprus for its support to the Cyprus Red Cross, and for its long-standing, overall responsibility towards Cypriot society.
In her own address, CRCS chief Papadopoulou also highlighted the decisive contribution of the Cypriot people and thousands of volunteers to the success of the Fundraiser and work of the Red Cross, while listing all the ways in which the Fundraisers’ proceeds are used for the benefit of others.
The CRCS president also referred to the huge humanitarian crisis caused by crises and conflicts such as the recent one in Sudan, for the alleviation of which the Cyprus Red Cross is participating in the national ESTIA project, so that Cyprus’ humanitarian intervention can strengthen initiatives for the evacuation and safe return of thousands of civilians from the war-torn country.
Red Cross chief Papadopoulou also referred to the contribution of the CRCS in responding to the human suffering caused by the recent Turkish and Syrian earthquakes. After thanking OPAP Cyprus for its long-standing support, she also announced the recent delivery to the Municipality of Marathon of four children’s parks, funded by the Cyprus Red Cross, for the benefit of the fire-affected areas of Mati.
“This action of yours, Mrs. Papadopoulou, adds satisfaction and pride to the State and to all of us, for the Cyprus Red Cross,” said OPAP Cyprus Managing Director, Demitris Aletraris, in his own address.
“But it also adds an obligation for us to continue to stand by you, with strength and sincerity,” he continued, expressing the certainty that Cypriots would spontaneously respond to the Pancyprian Fundraiser.
Addressing President Christodoulides, Managing Director Aletraris assured him that “in terms of the social plans of the State, you can count having on sincere allies”.
“A strong guarantee of our assurance is the long-standing action of OPAP Cyprus in the fields of health, culture, education, the environment and sport, always based on absolute respect for institutions and procedures,” added Aletraris.
The official opening of the Cyprus Red Cross Pancyprian Fundraiser was accompanied by voluntary blood donation and songs by Kyrenia native Chrysanthi Schiza, a CRCS volunteer herself, who offered messages of optimism through her music, regarding the success for the Fundraiser.
