CHARITY TO HELP VICTIMS OF TRAGIC GREEK FIRES

Athens, 25 September 2007 – On the initiative of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine, an important charity event in aid of victims of the tragic Greek fires, occurred last night at the Ekali Club, in collaboration with Hellenic Basketball Club Association (ESAKE), Lifeline Hellas and with the support of Vlade Divac, distinguished NBA player.

The charity was honoured with the presence of famous basketball players who were glad to support this humanitarian event. Among many the event was attended by: Vlade Divac, Predrag Danilović, Žarkο Paspalj, Dušan Ivković, Wayne Cooper, Scott Pollard, Grant Napiere, Chris Webber, Glen Rice…

Press Conference was held earlier today at the Metropolitan Hotel in Athens and attended by all the basketball players as well as Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Prince Katherine illustrating the purpose of this important humanitarian effort.

Gala Dinner was supported by ESAKE which hosted the annual draw for the A1 basketball championship OPAP season of 2007-2008. This magnificent event was also broadcasted live on the ET1 Television channel.

The attendees were welcomed by HRH Crown Prince Alexander who addressed the gathering with a moving message of Mrs. Snežana Samardžić - Marković, Minister of Youth and Sports of Serbia. Following the ceremony, speeches were also delivered by Mr. Vassilis Ekonomides, President of ESAKE and HRH Crown Princess Katherine as well as the President of the Special Fund for Emergency, Mr. Moliviatis, the former Greek minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. John Trikardos, President of the Board of Directors of Lifeline Hellas.

As the part of the event, humanitarian auction was also held at the Ekali Club, auctioning items donated by companies and individuals. It was led by Mr. John Souglides from Christie’s Auction House, giving guests the opportunity to bid for basket balls and T-shirts signed by the players, tennis racquet signed by Novak Djokovic as well as the items offered by Mr. and Mrs. Panayiotis, Crysanthi Lemos, C. Kessaris & Co, Vicky Michalis jewels, Mr. Alexander Fassianos, Patrizia Papachristides Gallery, Elias Lalaounis House, Mr. Vaggelis Hronis, Azia Resort and Spa, Chatila Jewels.

The proceeds from this special auction will go to support children from families that were struck by the disastrous fires in Greece.

The event was also attended by: Mr. Thomas Countryman, Charge d’ affaires of the USA Embassy, HE Mrs. Liljana Bacevic, Ambassador of Serbia to Greece, Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Minister of Interior, Mr. Yiannis Ioannides, Deputy Minister of Sports,

Mrs. Vasso Spiliotopoulou, the Mayor of Ecali, Mr. Niadas, the Managing Director of OPAP, Mr. Andreas Mioulis, President of Hellenic Basketball Federation, Mr. Vassilis Economides, the President of ESAKE, Mr. Panayiotis Yiannakis. coach of National Hellenic Basketball Team, Mr. Minos Kiriakou, Mr. Paul Yianakopoulos, Mr. Thanassis Yianakopoulos, Mr. Panayiotis Aggelopoulos, Mr. Zelimir Obradovic, Mrs Liza Evert, Ms. Clelia Haji-ioannou, Mr. George Hatdjinassios and many others.

Sponsors of the event were:

CLELIA HAJI-OANNOU FOUNDATION, METROPOLITAN HOTEL, ELLINOEKTIPOTIKI, KOTSONIS SA, SEMELI ESTATES, COCA COLA 3E, FLERIA TRENDS, NIKOTIAN.

The event was supported through donations and participation:

ASA DEVELOPMENT AE, AUTO HELLAS, ANTIS ESTATES LTD, BODYLINE, EFG EUROBANK, SPRIDER STORES, AMALIEION FOUNDATION, “MARIA TSAKOS” FOUNDATION, N. PAPAPOSTOLOU LTD, OPAP SA, NIK. KIOLEIDES AEVE, ELPIDA FOUNDATION, LATSIS GROUP, VERANO MOTORS DOO, MR. & MRS. BASSATNE BAHA AND GABY, MR. & MRS. VARDIS VARDINOYIANNIS, KOSMOCAR AE, MR. & MRS. ANDREAS POTAMIANOS, Μ&Μ ΗOUSE, EKALI CLUB, JAT AIRWAYS, OLYMPIC AND ALL THE BASKETBALL TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN THE A1 BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: PANATHINAIKOS, OLYMPIAKOS, PANIONIOS, AEL, AEP OLYMPIAS, OLYMPIA LARISSA, ARIS, AEK, PAOK, MAROUSI, AIGALEO, PANELLINIOS, RETHIMNO, COLOSSOS, ESAKE.