Press releases

Significant OPAP contribution for children on the occasion of 34th Athens Marathon

3,286,177 euros for the renovation of children hospitals “Aghia Sofia” and “Panagioti & Aglaias Kyriacou”

The citizens’ response to OPAP’s call to participate in the action and special application “Something Better” in the framework of the 34^th Authentic Athens Marathon, the major sponsor of which is the company, was impressive. A total of 216,873 people used the revamped “Something Better” app and website www.katikalytero.gr and were able to support the renovation of the two largest pediatric hospitals in the country, “Aghia Sofia” and “Panagioti & Aglaias Kyriacou”, for the third consecutive year.

All actions resulted in the collection of EUR 3,286,177 in the form of virtual contributions that OPAP automatically converted into financial support. This is part of the total investment of the company in the renovation of the two hospitals that will be realized in 2017, as part of the OPAP Corporate Social Responsibility program. Specifically, in 2017 OPAP will proceed to a full restructuring and renovation of floors 1 and 4 (Wing A) of the “Panagioti & Aglaias Kyriacou” hospital, as well as the Day Care Unit, the Central Sterilization Unit and the 6^th floor of the “Aghia Sofia” hospital.

OPAP CEO Damian Cope characteristically stated: “I’m very happy to be here at the Athens Marathon, a great event for the city of Athens and also a major event on the international sporting calendar. All of us at OPAP are delighted to be sponsoring this event again. It combines our passion for sport and our desire to give back to society. Everything we’ve been doing this year has been combining the social engagement of people around the country to contribute to the causes that we believe in which is young people and health”.

OPAP President Kamil Ziegler noted: “We are glad that we are here and we can also help for a good thing, we can support a good thing, we can support the kids. I am glad that everybody is here to support a good cause. That you very much that you support this important initiative, sport and the people in need”.

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of OPAP, Odysseas Christoforou, stressed: “Today is a great day for us. Besides our company’s financial contribution to the wider economy, OPAP supports and contributes to society.  Through its corporate responsibility program, OPAP embraces all citizens and especially children. The renovation of the children’s hospitals is a huge project for the whole country”.

Chief Customer Officer of OPAP, Petr Matejovsky, stated: We are really pleased with the participation and the support by the public to the renovation of the pediatric hospitals that OPAP is implementing for a third consecutive year. We are especially pleased that everybody in the OPAP team and around Greece are participating and indirectly contributing to the concentration of a significant amount that the company will turn into financial support and use it for the renovation of the two pediatric hospitals”.

So far, the company has delivered 8 hospital units to date, across a total of 5,330 square meters with a capacity of 191 beds, completely changing the current state of the two pediatric hospitals.

Most recent works at the “Aghis Sofia” hospital involves two nursing units on the 5^th floor have been renovated, covering a total area of 1,800 square meters and 50 beds capacity; the neonatal intensive care unit with 50 warmers capacity; the 2^nd floor A & B Orthopaedics department with 29 bed capacity; the 2^nd floor A & B Surgery department with 32 beds capacity; as well as the two 9-floor stairways and the main entrance of the 1^st floor.

At “Panagioti and Aglaias Kyriacou” hospital, the 3rd floor Wing A nursing unit was renovated covering a total area of 550 square meters and 30 beds capacity. Also the main entrances of ground floor and 1st floor, the main stairway, and the waiting rooms were renovated and the main elevator was replaced.

Hotel and office equipment in all renovated spaces at both hospitals has been fixed or partly replaced.