British Embassy in Turkey holds fundraiser for women, children subjected to violence
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
The British Embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara on March 23 organized a fundraiser to raise awareness on the issue of women and children subjected to violence.
In the “Sport Relief Run” event, organized with the British Embassy School (BESA), children from different age groups ran on an athletic track and received donations for each lap they completed.
Speaking at the opening of the event, British Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt said he was pleased to be in Ankara and to be taking part in the fundraising program.
Burt was in Ankara on March 23 on an official visit, during which he was expected to meet Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdağ.
Addressing the children, Burt said the fundraising program was an “energizing” start to his official visit.
He added that he was glad to hear that the proceeds of this year’s fundraising would be given to the YAKA-KOOP organization the southeastern province of Van, which provides support for women and children subjected to violence and forced marriages.
“This is a big year for women and girls as we are celebrating 100 years since women were first given the vote in the United Kingdom, which is very important,” Burt said.
Jennifer Anderson, ministerial counsellor and deputy head of mission, also attended the event, along with BESA assistant heads Stuart Downing and Robert Unsworth.
Downing told Anadolu Agency that the “Sport Relief Run” is a great opportunity to get an understanding of fundraising programs held in the U.K.
“It’s great for the school and the embassy to get involved with each other and to organize these kinds of things, as it is a big event in the U.K. It brings the ideas of elements of what we are doing in the U.K. to Turkey,” he added.
All 200 children attending BESA were involved in the event, Downing said.
The British Embassy in Ankara has been organizing the “Sport Relief Run” every two years in Turkey since 2012.