Cheque Handover of Running for Europe Donation in Support to Ukraine

2 minutes

This morning, 10 June 2022, a small ceremony was held in the Charlemagne building of the European Commission at the presence of Stefaan De Rynck, Head of the European Commission Representation in Belgium, Ciril Stokelj, Director for Visitors at the European Parliament and Catriona Graham, Director of Advocacy and Partnerships at the European Scout Region. 

The Team « Running for Europe », a collection of staff from the European Commission and Parliament, participated in the 20km Brussels race and collected 7700€ for Scouting activities involving children fleeing the war in Ukraine. The funds will be used to organize recreational activities in Ukraine and neighboring countries aimed at giving children and young refugees the space and chance to play and express themselves freely in a safe environment through Scouting educational summer programmes especially tailored for their context. 

Speaking during the handover ceremony on behalf of the European Scout Region, Catriona Graham thanked the participants for their generosity and said that the donations will contribute to strengthening Scouts’ response to the war in Ukraine. Many displaced persons and refugees have already been assisted through humanitarian aid, distribution of supplies, housing and transport, and through this donation more direct help activities will be addressed to young people. 

In the welcome addresses Stefaan De Rynck expressed the heartfelt support and solidarity felt by all the colleagues involved. Donations were raised from the participation of staff of many EU institutions at the annual charity run.

Mr Stokelj also highlighted the importance for European Institutions to participate in this initiative and said how meaningful it was to raise funds to help displaced children affected by the war in Ukraine.

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