Vodafone, in the context of a broader programme to offer aid to the residents of the fire-stricken areas and in line with its commitment to support the broader community, joined the Coach of the National basketball team Panagiotis Giannakis in visiting areas in the Prefecture of Ilia.

Mr. Giannakis followed the tragic events of August from Spain, where he was attending to the National Team’s commitments, and expressed the wish to visit the areas, talk with the residents and offer them encouragement and hope.

In the course of the two-day visit, Panagiotis Giannakis visited villages and schools in the areas of Artemida, Makisto, Zacharo, Ancient Olympia, Diasella, Tripiti, Kallithea, Livadaki and Amigdalies.

The people gave him an exceptionally warm and moving welcome, as everyone, regardless of age, expressed their fervent admiration and fondness of Panagiotis Giannakis who, in turn, tried to inspire them with strength and courage to overcome the hard times they are experiencing.

The pupils of the schools of Zacharo and Ancient Olympia, in particular, ‘embraced’ Panagiotis Giannakis reciprocating the love and vision he has been offering them all these years as an athlete and coach. Their idol, among other things, offered them basketballs and played with them, at the same time revealing secrets of the game.

The Coach of our team visited the mobile paediatrics and dental unit ‘LITO’ in Diasella and the mobile counselling and information unit ‘e-Kivotos’ which supports adolescents confronting family, social or psychological problems. The two units have been developed under Vodafone’s broader social programme, in cooperation with Médecins du Monde.

Speaking with the residents, Panagiotis Giannakis said: '…we draw strength and learn a lesson in life from all of you. You have taught us the best virtue: Faith in struggling for the better, every day. It does not matter how many times you fall, but how many times you get back on your feet…'.

The visit, part of a line of actions to provide practical assistance to the fire-stricken areas, came to corroborate a series of initiatives which have been undertaken, such as the setting up of 50 free-call telephone booths which enhanced communication and boosted people in the stricken areas from the very first moment.

For more information please contact:

Ms. Katerina Papakonstantinou, Corporate Communications Manager, Tel. 210 6702166, mob. 6944 800070, fax 210 6702376, e-mail: katerina.papakonstantinou@vodafone.com.

Mr. George Papadakis, Senior Media Relations Coordinator, Tel. 210 6702211, mob. 6944 800069, fax 210 6702376, e-mail: george.papadakis@vodafone.com.