Imperial Tobacco The Imperialist 1 Engl | Page 24

#Mobilise for May RACE FOR A GOOD CAUSE MOBILISE FOR MAY S tatistics say that there were about 1,500 retirement homes accommodating nearly 250,000 people in Russia in 2013. However, from a perspective of housekeeping standards, most of these institutions look more like houses of mourning. Being deprived of a decent living space, simple human warmth and regular leisure activities, elderly people become discouraged and apathetic about life. Fortunately, there are special foundations coordinating charitable initiatives that are focused on improving lives of elderly people in retirement homes, providing financial and medical assistance, and breathing some life into emotional vacuum that old people find themselves in after going to a senior care facility. Our company works with one of such foundations called Starost v Radost ("Happy Old Age"). This year, our Moscow team joined the city half- marathon competition at the Luzhniki stadium on May 21 as part of the annual charitable initiative 'Mobilise for May'. Oliver Kutz, General Manager Russia and Central Asia Cluster, said: "Today we are running a 21 km race, and it is all for a good cause. The company is going to make a charitable donation to the elderly people care foundation for every kilometer covered by a member of the Imperial Tobacco team." In total, the Imperial Tobacco team has run 375 kilometers! The joint effort of our colleagues helped us raise RUB 187,500. The funds were transferred to the charity foundation and used to purchase hygiene products for residents of the Uvarovo home for elderly and disabled people living in the Tambov region. Those taking part in the competition looked ready for action and were happy to share their emotions before and after the race: The Империалист |  | 24