Takis Lemonis, Manager of Olympiacos FC and Ernesto Valverde, Manager of FC Barcelona have signed a joint letter to assess the importance of the collaboration between the two entities with UNICEF:
“At 21:45 on Tuesday the 31st of October, our two Clubs Olympiacos FC and FC Barcelona will face each other for a mere 90 minutes on the G.Karaiskakis football pitch for the UEFA Champions League group stage. However once the match ends, the two Clubs besides from their football memories will continue to share a strong bond as they are proudly united by their significant partnerships with UNICEF, for the well-being and safety of children across the globe. Barcelona led the way in 2006 and Olympiacos took upon this great example in 2013, in supporting UNICEF in its momentous work for children compromised and in need around the world. To this day as one team, TEAM UNICEF, we have accomplished so much for children worldwide and we remain committed to achieving even more in the future.
Since 2006, the Foundation FC Barcelona and UNICEF have been working together on a pioneering proposal that revolutionized the world of sponsorship. During these ten years more than 15 million euros have been donated to UNICEF for projects where more than one million children have benefited. Work has been carried out in Swaziland, Malawi, Angola, Brazil, China, Ghana and South Africa. Also, from 2016 700,000 euros have been allocated to the emergencies of Haiti, Sudan of the South and Mexico.
Since 2013, Olympiacos FC has been supporting UNICEF’s 100% Campaign to vaccinate hundreds of thousands of children in Greece and abroad, as well as to train thousands of health care workers. Starting this year, the club will be contributing to UNICEF’s massive campaign to help end preventable deaths of newborns and ensure that every child has the necessary nutrition and health care to grow and develop in their early life stages.
Both Clubs we see football as something more than just a sport. Football is a movement of hope, a set of ideas and values that brings people of different nationalities and backgrounds together, as if we were members of the same family. Guided by these values, our Club Presidents, the administrations, us managers, the players and our amazing fans we have all united in joining our forces with UNICEF to save children’s lives and brighten their future. For this, we would like to thank each and everyone of you for your ongoing support and trust in our mission!
Let’s not forget that children are our future, and it is our responsibility to stand up for them!
Signed
Takis Lemonis Ernesto Valverde
Manager of Olympiacos FC Manager of FC Barcelona
