Cycle4Europe's successful event raises over 600,000 Swedish kronor for Europe's most deprived
Thanks to our generous sponsors and individual donators, over 600,000 Swedish kronor has been raised during Loza Foundation's charity event Cycle4Europe. Now can some of Europe's most deprived children receive winter clothes, shoes and access to an education. Loza Foundation will also be able to establish itself in Kosovo for future projects.
"We are extremely grateful to BewiSynbra who have arranged this event together with Loza Foundation and for all the contributions that will help many. There is, however, a lot left to do, unfortunately, the living standards in many parts of Europe are below a level of what is considered dignified," says Sabina Grubbeson, founder of Loza Foundation and initiator of Cycle4Europe.
Sabina Grubbeson, founder of Loza Foundation which raised over 600,000 Swedish kronor during the charity event Cycle4Europe.
On the 5th of September, three cyclists set off from Skopje in North Macedonia, with the goal of arriving in Sweden. Over the two weeks, they have been joined by a total of twenty other cyclists who have travelled all or part of the 1550-mile journey. On Friday, 19 September, the cyclists finally crossed the finish line in central Varberg on Sweden's west coast.
”We have met people along the way who have told us that they’ve had a wake-up call, that they are glad that we are lifting the situation of Europe's poorest. There are many people in Eastern Europe who would like to help their fellow citizens but unfortunately do not have the resources to do so,” says Sabina Grubbeson.
Cycle4Europe has received widespread media coverage in Europe and the campaign has brought in 600,000 Swedish kronor from private persons, businesses and sponsors. The collected resources will among other things finance winter clothing, shoes, English lessons and extra activities for orphaned children at a number of North Macedonian children's homes. As well as this Loza Foundation can now establish projects in Kosovo which is one of Europes poorest countries. There are even enough resources to better the living standards for disabled and especially vulnerable people at institutions both in North Macedonia and in Bosnia where people are living under difficult conditions.
”Being the first time we have initiated a big campaign, it was definitely a success and the resources we have received will help many people. Even so, I believe and hope that this event has raised awareness of how bad the situation is for many of Europe's poorest so that in our next campaign we will achieve even better results.”
The donations from this cycling event mainly solve short-term material challenges, but there is also positive long-term significance.
”Shortly before Cycle4Europe began, 50 bicycles were shipped to various children's homes in North Macedonia, made possible by the donations made by private persons and businesses. In connection with the start in Skopje, a number of the children who had received the bicycles were in place to follow the cyclists out of town. Now, the staff at the children's home have said that the only thing the children want to do is to cycle. At the same time as we help with clothing and schooling, we can also help the children feel like a part of society.”
Even though the cyclists from Cycle4Europe have now passed the finish line Sabina Grubbeson emphasizes that the work for Europes most deprived has really only just begun.
”During the campaign, we visited one of Europe's poorest areas for Roma people, where people are living daily without enough food to eat. If the UN is to achieve its global goals it is important that we balance research and education with clear initiatives to solve acute problems to finally succeed in building socially sustainable societies.”
This is the UN’s global goal:
The 17-point agenda adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 with a view to achieving certain goals by 2030. The goals include among other things, the global abolition of hunger, poverty and inequality.
Read more: hppt://www.globalgoals.org
Read more about cycle4Europe: lozafoundation.org/cycle4europe/
For more information
Sabina Grubbeson
Founder
+46733-213 823
info@lozafoundation.org
Loza Foundation works for the most vulnerable people in the poorest countries of Europe. The foundation was founded in 2017 in Sweden. In collaboration with the local population we take concerted action within institutions for people with mental health issues and physical disabilities, at orphanages and other operations for women and children that are particularly vulnerable. www.lozafoundation.org
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