BRITISH AMBASSADOR TAKES A RUN IN YEREVAN

news.am
May 3 2010
Armenia

British Ambassador to Armenia Charles Lonsdale raised U.S. $700-800 as
a result of the May 2 Sport Relief Mile. About 50 people, including
Ambassador Lonsdale, took a run from the Institute of Ancient
Manuscripts (Matenadaran) to Republic Square in Yerevan.

The goal of the run was raising funds for the Para-Olympic Committee of
Armenia. Talking to NEWS.am, Ambassador Lonsdale said his companions
promised him U.S $700-800 for the run. Maria Sandoyan, Head of the
Press Service, British Embassy in Armenia, pointed out that the final
sum has not yet been specified, as each runner has his sponsor.

"Personal contributions are the focus of the event," she said.

Chairman of the Para-Olympic Committee of Armenia Hakob Abrahamyan
said that the funds will be used to hold a conference for disabled
people. "The main goal of the run was to draw public attention to
disabled people’s problems. Sport for disabled people is not financed
in Armenia, and we are trying to draw the Government’s attention,"
he said.

This is the first charity event of this kind in Armenia. The Sport
Relief Mile initiative was proposed by the Comic Relief charitable
institution (Great Britain).

This year about 500,000 people have participated in the events in Great
Britain – famous people, young and old, sportsmen and disabled people.