Attivismo civico & Terzo settore
Poland: Cycling for autism. Raising funds and awareness
Warsaw's streets were closed last week as crowds cycled to raise funds for a new centre for the autistic
In spite of the rain, over 1000 people cycled across Warsaw on June 2nd in the second social cycling rally organised to raise awareness about autism. The event aimed to raise awareness among Warsaw's citizens as well as to raise funds.
People cycled 10 km on the main streets in Warsaw, which, were closed to regular traffic for the occasion. After the cycle was over the participants gathered in a park in Warsaw where a concert was held and the participants were counted. The sponsor also signed a large check. The foundation of Poland's Telecommunication Company donated 100 z³ (around 25 Euros) for each participant, which, altogether brought 100.000 z³ (around 25.000 Euros). The funds will be used to build a center for autistic people called Work and Home not far from Warsaw. The center will consist of three buildings: one will be dedicated to a social enterprise and the other two will be homes for the autisic and the employees of the enterprise. The social enterprise was opened in March 2007 and the construction of the first home has also already started.
Participants of the event included those who are to live at the center, as well as several members of Parliament and the members of the Parliamentary Group for Autism. The event demonstrated an act of solidarity by part of healthy people towards those that are autistic.
Organizations from other cities are thinking about organizing similar events in their regions as this has demonstrated that fun and charity can go hand in hand.
