Women in Travel Retail+ has raised €25,800 for its 2024 elected charity – the FRASI Bike to School project in Sri Lanka – far exceeding its donation target.
The charity was nominated by WiTR+ member and Essence Corp’s Vice President, Patricia Bona. In a country where children walk a considerable distance to get to school, its goal is to help prevent girls and boys from dropping out of schools by providing them with means of safe transportation. Dire economic circumstances in Sri Lanka are leaving children with no option but to quit school – losing out on education and, in many cases, their only daily guaranteed meal. In response, FRASI launched the Bike to School project to provide students with a bicycle plus accessories and training so they can get to and from school safely and efficiently.
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| Children enjoy biking to school thanks to the FRASI Bike to School project |
WiTR+’s goal was to raise €15,000, which would provide 100 children with bicycles but, thanks to generous donations from Victoria’s Secret, Brown-Forman and many donations from attendees to WiTR+’s various networking events throughout the year, the charity has collectively managed to raise an impressive €25,800 – which is enough for bikes for 200 children.
Patricia Bona said: “Thanks to WITR+ members’ generosity, our initial goal of delivering 100 bicycles to students was surpassed, and FRASI is now organising a second delivery focusing especially on young girls. Together we did it! We are grateful that 200 students will receive access to education, be safe on the roads and be proud to own a bicycle.”
