A visit by people with disabilities to Bogovađa

Today, the ‘Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon’ Foundation, the Red Cross of Belgrade, and the Sports Federation of People with Disabilities of Belgrade, accompanied by basketball player Boban Marjanović and judoka Aleksandar Kukolj, visited the Red Cross of Belgrade’s retreat in Bogovađa. Currently, the first group of 50 people with disabilities and their attendants are staying there for sports training.

Since one of the primary goals of the ‘Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon’ Foundation is to protect and improve the position of people with disabilities, the ‘Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon’ Foundation and the Red Cross of Belgrade have pooled resources to help a total of 100 people with disabilities from the Sports Federation of People with Disabilities of Belgrade adequately prepare for the autumn season under the guidance of experienced trainers.

The partnership we have with the Red Cross of Belgrade in protecting and assisting runners at all Belgrade Marathon events is at an exceptionally high level. It has now extended to helping people with disabilities who are in the camp here in Bogovađa. I would like to thank everyone who participated in raising funds for this initiative, and I am especially proud of the activation we devised, which is the SMS for a kilometer, where runners and their supporters donate money to the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation by sending an SMS. The message with the text HEROJI to 3023 means a lot to all people with disabilities. . Thanks also to the Sports Federation of People with Disabilities of Belgrade, which continuously and very effectively works with people with disabilities throughout the year. I hope we will succeed in strengthening other federations across Serbia as well. Over 500 people with disabilities participate in the Belgrade Marathon from all over Serbia, so we will aim to organize a special race for people with disabilities to give them additional recognition. said Darko Habuš, Director of the ‘Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon’ Foundation.”

“Bogovađa is a place where we grew up and which we have rehabilitated and prepared for hosting seminars, workshops, and similar events. Today, we are here for the recovery of children with disabilities, and we are very grateful to all the compassionate people whose support has made it possible for them to be here today. I believe that the workshops organized by the Red Cross will be beneficial to both the children and their parents, preparing them for all life’s challenges. I invite all accomplished individuals in their professions to take time and engage in humanitarian work through various activities. So, thank you to Boban and Aleksandar for being here with us today,’” said Darko Habuš, Director of the ‘Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon’ Foundation. said Dr. Milan Mirković on behalf of the Red Cross of Belgrade.

On the importance of this initiative for the members of the Sports Federation of People with Disabilities of Belgrade, Draženko Mitrović spoke. “Thank you to everyone for the support; above all, it’s a wonderful gathering. For these children, it’s a big deal to have participated in the sports and recreational program, their recovery, as well as the rich content of the workshops and socializing”.

Basketball player Boban Marjanović, on this occasion, said: A smile connects us all. We are here to bring smiles to the children and to come out better at the end of the day. Smiling helps us get through tough times much more easily. My colleague Kukolj has taught me new martial arts skills. I’m glad to be part of today and I hope the children enjoyed it too. We had a match. , we left our hearts on the field and won,’ Bobi joked at the end of his statement.

Judoka Aleksandar Kukolj said: I am thrilled with the atmosphere in Bogovađa. Bobi and I had the pleasure of spending time with these wonderful children today. I am aware of the importance of engaging with vulnerable groups and contributing to improving their quality of life in some way. We played a basketball game—Bobi, the children, and I against the officials. It was full of irregularities, but in the end, we won, Kukolj joked at the end.