A family story and his great passion for bicycling have urged Anastasios Kokkoris to begin a worldwide marathon race on Sunday, in order to support the work of the Greek Association of Friends of Children with Cancer, “Elpida” (meaning Hope).
According to a protothema.gr report, to keep hope alive, Kokkoris (58) is determined to cross three different continents riding a bicycle. His effort will financially support the Greek association. But on his journey Kokkoris will not be alone; he will be accompanied by his younger daughter, Olga.
Born in the Prefecture of Lakonia, Greece, Anastasios or Tom Kokkoris migrated to Australia at a young age with his family in search of a brighter future. He is an electrical engineer, married, and the father of three children.
In his interview to the Greek daily, Kokkoris revealed all the details concerning his training and diet for the epic journey, while he also mentioned the possible dangers he might have to cope with.
The Kokkoris have lived through the loss of a loved one to cancer. The daughter of Kokkoris’ sister had died at the age of 40 due to incurable disease, while his nephew managed to survive it some 20 years ago. Now Kokkoris’ mother is giving her own fight against the incurable disease.
So when Kokkoris first heard of “Elpida”, he decided to find a new goal that would help the Greek association continue its work of treating cancer patients.
“Our goal is to fundraise one million dollars and I believe this is possible. From March 18 until today we have raised $7,000 without any publicity. I would like to inform the sponsors that the journey expenses will be my own and all money raised will be handed to the Greek association for children with cancer” said Mr. Kokkoris to protothema.gr.
According to the official website of “Elpida”, Kokkoris set off from the Zarax Cultural Center (196 Liverpool Road Enfield, NSW Australia) on April 1st, at 12 noon. The journey will include intermediate stops in America, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece. After cycling through several Greek cities there will be a stop in Ermione, Argolis, which is Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis’ home town, and where a modest ceremony will be held to present a report regarding the donation to the ELPDA Association. Mr. Kokkoris and his daughter will then end the bike ride in Kokkoris’ own place of birth, Richea.
The “Elpida” Association was established in the early ‘90s by a group of responsive women, headed by the President of the Association, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis. The love of its members for children and the realization that our country lacked the means to treat children who needed bone marrow transplants were the two basic factors for the creation of the Association.
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