With the slogan "Children are our wings, so since children are our wings we must give them the right to life", in addition to the 112 marathon runners and runners run next Sunday, September 15, 2019, from all the provinces of Cyprus, with a common goal, to strengthen the effort of the Association "A Dream A Wish", to create a separate surgical unit for the Pediatric Oncology Department of Makareio Hospital, for children suffering from various forms of cancer.
The ultra-marathon of love and offering "Running for a dream fulfills a wish", with the ultimate goal, raising awareness and at the same time realizing that "Together we can", is organized for the second consecutive year by the Association "A Dream of a Wish", in collaboration with the Cyprus traffic movement and the Limassol Nautical Club.
In this huge effort of 112 runners from 14 Associations, people with disabilities will join forces, thus giving their own mark.
Kallistheni Christofi, who has a form of paraplegia and who will cover the distance of 117km, on a racing wheelchair, which will be pushed by runners, of the group "Right to Life", in an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (KYPE) said that "all together we can offer to the best of our ability, if we put our soul in the forefront, because whatever we do in this world we must always do with our soul."
The marathon runner and inspirer of the whole effort, Savvas Stylianou, said in an interview with KYPE that "we want to give the right to life", because together we can help children suffering from various forms of cancer and their families, whether this is fulfillment of wishes or is financial support.
Asked how the idea for the marathon "I run for a dream come true I fulfill a wish" started, Mr. Stylianou said that when he met last year with Mr. Christakis Mattheou, who every year organized, at his own expense, an event in support of him. The Association "One Dream One Wish", in Agios Athanasios, had suggested that they organize a super marathon, in which all of Cyprus would participate and which would start from all cities, Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, free Famagusta, Paphos.
This proposal, he continued, was embraced by all the Rural Associations of Cyprus and last year the 1st ultra-marathon, with a distance of around 65km, was organized, with the marathon runners and runners starting from all cities and ending up in the Public Garden, having puzzle pieces with them. , which united in the end and formed the brand of the Association "One Dream One Wish".
Regarding the 2nd marathon, Mr. Stylianou said that this year, the Associations increased from 12 to 14, together with the Limassol Naval Club, which is a major partner and offers the Group's space to be organized on Sunday, September 15. , a big event at the end of the runners.
Answering a question, Mr. Stylianou said that the runners by teams will start from Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Nicosia, Paphos, Troodos and will end at the Limassol Nautical Club.
As he said, the runners from Ayia Napa will start their effort on Saturday night, September 14, while the runners who will start from Larnaca, Nicosia, Paphos and Troodos will start their effort on the 7th. on the morning of September 15th.
He noted that the runners of the "Right to Life" team, who will start from Ayia Napa, will have people with disabilities with them, and will cover a distance of 117 km.
Specifically, he stated that Kalia Christofi will be with them, who will cover the distance on a wheelchair, which will be pushed by runners, as well as Christos Loizou, who will follow with his bicycle.
In the final stages of the journey, Mr. Stylianou said, they will meet Alexander, "who is a miracle child" and who from Zygi, sitting in a wheelchair that will be towed by a bicycle, will support the group "Right to Life". », Until the end.
He also mentioned that before the start, at 20:30, in the Central Square of Ayia Napa, in collaboration with the Municipality of Ayia Napa, a small event will take place around 19:00 to 19:30.
Asked which Clubs will take part in the marathon, Mr. Stylianou said that the runners' unions from all over Cyprus will take part: Cycling Team, Athalassa Runners, West Coast Runners, Paphos Running Club, Ifestos Sports Club, OUK - SEVAK, NOL.
"So we are showing that we will run side by side, we have nothing to separate, we are just joining forces," he said.
Asked what time the runners are expected to arrive from all the cities, Mr. Stylianou said that all teams are expected to start finishing on Sunday, September 15, from 12:00 to 14:00 in front of building of the Limassol Nautical Club, aiming at 13:00.
At the Limassol Nautical Club, he continued, there will be a procession from 12:00 to 17:00, an event, which will offer food, drink, and will include Survivor sports, which will be organized by the Dromea Kids Academy and Nikos O. Sourmelis. He added that there will be a small contribution for each participation in the sports, but also in the delicacies, which will be given to the Association "One Dream One Wish".
"So we call on all friends who would like to support us, especially at the end of the term, to give their presence, and to applaud the efforts of runners, and especially of people with disabilities who really deserve it, because they are fighters," he said.
Kallistheni Christofi, answering a question, said that her motivation is the children and especially the little heroes-fighters of life who give their own struggle every day behind the curtain of society.
"I consider it my duty as a true volunteer to offer the least I can. If running 117km from Ayia Napa to Limassol, with the physical fatigue required is the least I can suffer, because I'm going to do this thing, think about how painful and how bad it is for a 4-year-old child, for a A 2-year-old child who is fighting his own battle with cancer ", he added.
Asked what message she wants to give through this effort, Kallistheni Christofi said that "all together we can offer to the best of our ability, if we put our soul in the forefront, because everything we do in this world must always be done. we do with our soul. "
"We don't have to do it because someone will give us something or society will reciprocate what we want. We have to do it because our soul says so, without waiting for retribution. Give without waiting to get ", he added and called on the people to be at the Limassol Naval Club with his families," so that we can all support the little heroes together ".
Savvas Stylianou, when asked how one can contribute to the whole effort, said how one can visit the page of the marathon "I run for a dream I fulfill a wish" on Facebook and click on the link: bit.ly/2KIq6WJ, to do his contribution.
"He can still, if he wants to create a project of his own for 'Run for a Dream, I Pay a Wish', invite his friends and create his own team that will offer through contributions," he added, noting that they can be done. contributions until September 30.
"We don't have to wait for something to happen to us to realize that our neighbor needs our help. If we manage from the 800.000 Cypriots, the 70.000 to give us from € 1, not to us, in the Association "A Dream A Wish" we will collect 70 thousand euros. And why do I say € 70.000? Why is the main goal this year, which was also of the Association, to help make a separate surgical unit at the Pediatric Oncology Hospital of Makareio ", he said.
He also said that on the day of the event there will be contribution coupons both in the area of the Limassol Nautical Club, but they will have with them the runners who will run per city.
"I want to say thank you to the Cyprus Police, whose contribution to this project is really great. I would also like to thank the Ministry of Health, which, without a second thought, told us that we will provide you with ambulances to accompany the runners, plus our sponsors, partners and supporters ", he added.
Mr. Stylianou said that in the area of NOL will be the Association "Then Spring has come", which will carry out sampling for bone marrow donors, which is something very basic and this, for the Karaiskaki Foundation.
"Give and don't wait to get. Any small contribution is more than zero, we have something to gain. We have our friend Kalia here, who also gives a fight for life, but what do you do? She comes to show and prove that she is no different from the others. He can offer and he comes willingly with his friend Christos, together with Alexandros and his family, to prove that we are trying, what can you do? Can you offer? So the message is big and that these people belong yes in our society and we must embrace them, "he added.
Asked if the marathon will be established as an institution, Mr. Stylianou said that it has already been established as an institution.
Kallistheni Christofi, in a final message, told her: "Let everyone give with their souls what they can so that one day we can see that cancer is not a disease, but a sign of the zodiac map".
Savvas Stylianou, in an intervention, told him that "it will be our greatest joy to finish and see that there are people there who recognize this effort, but even if there are 10 people again, there will be some waiting for us".
"It simply came to our notice then. Last year it was very crowded, very moving moments, many of us were crying at the end of the day and we said we did it. If people understand that these efforts deserve to be praised and supported, then let everyone come and support us, "he said.