MILAN – At the stadium on a Thursday night. It was good to be back in a different context to the match. The team arrived in dribs and drabs, Milito was there, Castellazzi was back, while Ivan Cordoba looked sharp in a suit. Andrea Stramaccioni came into the room with Stefano Filucchi, Marco Fassone joined them, and the president's family were there, along with some other friends. We'll not list all the guests and their various roles as we'd take away space which would be better served for "Emergency". This was an auction for people who realise the importance of helping those most at need in the world, those suffering in sixteen different countries.
First number: five million people living in poverty or war-torn countries over nineteen years.
Marco Lodola's works were up for auction, a versatile artist who, with the Sanrio Foundation, has created coloured lamps, drawing his inspiration from those in the "Emergency", who experience it first-hand. Smemoranda organised the event, Inter played an important role, Enrico Bertolino acted as auctioneer, Enzo Iachetti lent a hand to both the auctioneer – who already had Nico Colonna with him – and the auction itself, raising his hand on numerous occasions. Gino and Michele were also there, as was Ron, and it was clear that people wanted to do something concrete and were happy to be able to do so.
The second number is this: 2,500.
€2,500 are the difference between life and death in Khartoum, Africa, for a child who needs an operation. It's also the sum required for the hospital that Inter built years ago in Afghanistan to keep going.
That's what Cecilia Strada – with the courage of her father Gino and the grace of her mother Teresa – said, as she now runs Emergency.
The third number is 90, the number of minutes in a football match. The auction lasted 90 minutes and raised €60,800.
Now these funds need to be sent to the places that need them, and there's also the Italy programme. In 2006 Emergency opened a health clinic in Palermo to guarantee free healthcare to immigrants, regardless of whether they hold a residency permit, and all those in need. A second clinic was then established in Marghera (near Venice) on 2 December 2010. Emergency has also been working in Sassari since mid-December via a healthcare kiosk. Two mobile clinics also bring aid to areas in need. The staff are all volunteers.
The evening was characterised by friendship, understanding and a
culture of working together. It's another step forward in the
alliance between Inter and Emergency, in which Milly Moratti has played a
prominent role. The evening came to a close with a spot of focaccia and
cured
meats. Locally sourced of course. (SW)
