Perhaps people on the island are too focused on the political debate to focus on the human dimension of the tragedy. I would like to start a campaign to collect donations, which can be distributed in equal shares to the families of the 13 people who lost their lives in this tragic event.  

I will open a bank account with one or two of the main banks on the island and I will make the first donation via my philanthropic foundation of 50,000 euro (fifty thousand euro) to get the process going.

I hope others will follow and the fund will become even bigger for the benefit of the families. I will personally oversee process of identifying the next of keen for the each of the deceased and the monies collected will be distributed in cash by bank transfer in equal shares to the families within one month of today." 

To view this press release in Greek... click here

Notes to Editors

The accident was reported on the BBC website as follows… click here

The SPF has been working in Cyprus for several years already.

The bi-communal business awards are on the third year now – We are looking for 5 winning teams to get 50k euro each.  I was glad to see how the accident has helped bring the two sides closer together with the provision of electricity from the north.

The donation to the municipality of pedoulas for their environmental center was completed on last year for 200k euro.

Sir Stelios is the Honorary General Consul of Cyprus in Monaco.

Media Coverage

Gnomi (26 August 2011) - Greek text
Sigmalive (25 August 2011) - Greek text
Politis (25 August 2011) - Greek text
Simerini (24 August 2011) - Greek text 
Larnacainfo.com (23 August 2011) - Greek text
Showtime-CY (23 August 2011) - Greek text 
Sigmalive.com (23 August 2011) - Greek text
Haravrgi (23 August 2011) - Greek text
iefimerida.com.cy (22 August 2011) - Greek text
Politis (9 August 2011) - Greek text
Simerini (9 August 2011) - Greek text
Sigmalive.com (8 August 2011) - Greek text
Simerini (8 August 2011) - Greek text
Kathimerini (8 August 2011) - Greek text
Philelefttheros (6 August 2011) - Greek text
Politis (6 August 2011) - Greek text
Simerini (5 August 2011) - Greek text
Havergi.com.cy (5 August 2011) - Greek text
Blade.com.cy (4 August 2011) - Cyprus TV coverage (2)
Blade.com.cy (4 August 2011) - Cyprus TV coverage
Sigma Live (4 August 2011) - Greek text
Kathimerini.com.cy (4 August 2011) - Greek text
iKypros.com (4 August 2011) - Greek text
MAXH News Live (4 August 2011) - Greek text
Simerini (4 August 2011) - Greek text, part 2
Simerini (4 August 2011) - Greek text, part 1
Cyprus Today (3 August 2011) - English text
Cyprus Mail (2 August 2011) - English text
Haravgi (2 August 2011) - Greek text
Politis (2 August 2011) - Greek text
Phileleftheros (2 August 2011) - Greek text