The “Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon” Foundation, the Red Cross of Belgrade, and the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities, accompanied by basketball player Boban Marjanović and judoka Aleksandar Kukolj, today visited the Red Cross of Belgrade resort in Bogovađa, where the first group of 50 persons with disabilities and their assistants is currently staying for sports training preparations.
Since one of the primary goals of the “Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon” Humanitarian Foundation is the protection and improvement of the position of persons with disabilities, the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation and the Red Cross of Belgrade have joined resources to support a total of 100 persons with disabilities from the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities, enabling them to adequately prepare for the autumn season under the guidance of experienced coaches.
“The partnership we have developed with the Red Cross of Belgrade in providing protection and assistance to runners at all Belgrade Marathon races is at an exceptionally high level, and it has now grown into support for persons with disabilities currently staying at the camp here in Bogovađa.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in raising funds for this initiative. I am especially proud of the activation we created, ‘SMS for a Kilometer’, through which runners and their supporters donate funds to the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation by sending an SMS message. Sending the message HEROJI to 3023 means a great deal to all persons with disabilities.
I would also like to thank the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities, which continuously and very professionally works with persons with disabilities throughout the year. I hope that together we will manage to strengthen other associations across Serbia as well.
More than 500 persons with disabilities from across Serbia participate in the Belgrade Marathon, and that is why we are looking into organizing a special race for persons with disabilities, in order to further recognize and highlight their participation,” said Darko Habuš, Manager of the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation, on this occasion.
“Bogovađa is a place where many of us grew up and which we have renovated and prepared for seminars, workshops, and similar events. Today we are here for the recovery stay of children with disabilities, and I would like to sincerely thank all the compassionate people whose support made it possible for them to be here today.
I believe that the Red Cross workshops we will organize will be beneficial both for the children and their parents, helping them prepare for various challenges in life. I would like to invite all successful individuals in their professions to set aside some time and dedicate themselves to humanitarian work through different activities.
That is why I would also like to thank Bobi and Aleksandar for being here with us today,” said Dr. Milan Mirković on behalf of the Red Cross of Belgrade.
Draženko Mitrović spoke about the importance of this initiative for the members of the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities:
“Thank you all for your support — above all, this is a wonderful opportunity for socializing. For these children, it means a great deal to take part in this sports and recreational program, which includes recovery activities, a rich workshop program, and time for socializing.”
Basketball player Boban Marjanović said on this occasion:
“A smile brings us all together. We are here to bring smiles to the children and to leave this day as better people. When we are smiling, it is much easier to get through difficult times. My colleague Kukolj even taught me some new martial arts skills. I’m glad to have been part of today, and I hope the kids enjoyed it as well. We had a match, we left our hearts on the court — and we won,” Bobi joked at the end of his statement.
Judoka Aleksandar Kukolj said:
“I am delighted with the atmosphere here in Bogovađa. Bobi and I were fortunate to spend time today with these wonderful children. I am aware of the importance of working with vulnerable groups and contributing in some way to improving the quality of their lives.
We also played a basketball game — Bobi, the kids and I against the officials. There were plenty of irregularities, but in the end, we won,” Kukolj joked at the end.
