Italy - The 2016 Race of the Saints on behalf of Bangui
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26 October 2016

(ANS - Rome) – Yesterday 25 October at the Sala Tevere of the Lazio Region in Rome, the "Race of the Saints" was launched. This is by now a traditional event of sport and solidarity. It will take place next Tuesday, 1 November 2016, in Rome, on the occasion of the Solemnity of All Saints. This year the prestigious sporting event in the streets of the historic centre of Rome will be associated with an invitation to mercy. Through the DON BOSCO IN THE WORLD Foundation it aims to support the work of the Salesians in the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, the city where Pope Francis opened the Holy Year of Mercy.

The press conference which was moderated by M. Federico Pasquali was attended by, among others, Paolo Scipioni, President of ASD Race of the Saints; Fr Tullio Orler, President of the DON BOSCO IN THE WORLD Foundation; the Councillor for Social Policies and Sports of the Lazio Region and representatives of the main sponsor, Melinda and Teva Italia. There was a reminder of how, during the worst moments of the civil war in the Central African Republic, in their work of Galabadja, a district of Bangui, the Salesians were able to accommodate over 20,000 people.

Now, in the post-conflict situation - which is not yet definitive because there are still outbreaks of violence - through the initiative of the "Race of the Saints" the Salesian solidarity network has plans to enhance the functionality and services of the Galabadja buildings – the Saint-Jean Dispensary which assists especially mothers and children; the primary school, which forms the values โ€‹โ€‹of friendship and solidarity; and the Youth Centre, which offers health and safety to the people of Bangui, in particular to the most vulnerable.

Therefore, as of yesterday, 25 October, until November 2, you can support the project of the Bangui Salesians with the number 45524. You can donate 2 euro by sending an SMS from your personal cell phone and 2 or 5 euro from a landline. The ad can be seen on the Facebook page of the Foundation.

Started in 2008, the "Race of the Saints" has quickly emerged as a major event in the national sports calendar and as an exercise in solidarity. The 2015 race, sponsored by Carl Lewis, "the Son of the Wind", saw the participation of over 4,300 athletes. Proceeds went to support the work of the Salesians struggling with the consequences of the Ebola epidemic in Liberia.

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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