PAOK just couldn’t say no to such a request. With the collaboration of Make-A-Wish Greece, they responded promptly to Chrysovalantis’ wish and undertook the important and difficult mission to make it come true.

It was no easy feat. It called for the simultaneous collaboration of several different entities. Apart from PAOK FC, who are assuming free-of-charge the organization of the friendly encounter between their first team and the 2004 European Champions, there was a warm response to the call of Make-A-Wish by the players of the UEFA Euro 2004 winning team, by the Greek Federation and the Northern Greece regional authorities.

Chrysovalantis’ wish will come true on Wednesday 13 May 2015 in Toumba Stadium, at 19.00. On that day, joy, strength and hope will take centre stage, next to PAOK’s virtues of pride, resistance, dream and conquest.

For the first time ever, a football team and a charitable organization team up, responding to the initiative of a child in order to support another organization, such as the AHEPA Hospital.

Chrysovalantis teaches us all a valuable life lesson. Make-A-Wish volunteers paid him a visit aiming to find out more about his wish and they met a teenager determined to prevail and at the same time make his adventure count by helping the hospital that has been nursing him.

PAOK FC president Iakovos Angelidis spoke to paokfc.gr about the initiative:

«No football club can claim being deeply rooted in society, if they don’t embrace those in need. We are truly touched and happy that our young friend urged us to intensify our social work. We should be thanking Chrysovalantis for the honour of confiding his wish to us and we are grateful to Make-A-Wish Greece for making it possible.

PAOK FC don’t regard social action as means of promotion, but of substantial contribution to the public. We believe however that Chrysovalantis’ pure love for our club and his wish to help other people through it should become a universal example of awakened sensitivity and volunteer work».

Thodoris Zagorakis, former captain and president of PAOK and also skipper of Greece’s Euro 2004 winning squad, spoke about the initiative:

«We have been all deeply touched by Chrysovalantis’ wish. We are aware and in awe of Make-A-Wish’s work. We believe that, by contributing in this huge wish, we convey a special -and much-needed nowadays- educational spirit to the work performed by the organization.

I would like to state that Chrysovalantis was just 5 years-old in 2004 and has learned Greece’s triumph through history. He is making us exceedingly proud and we should not let him down!».

Make-A-Wish Greece president Anastasia Mania stated the following:

«We have been very moved ever since receiving Chrysovalantis’ wish. There are no words to describe the inner strength of children and the innumerable lessons they teach us. We will do our best to make his Wish come true and organize a magical event!

I would like to invite everybody in Northern Greece and beyond to participate in the Wish in order to realize Chrysovalantis’ dream and at the same time collect a significant sum for AHEPA.

All authorities responded promptly and positively to our call. Let me express my heartfelt gratitude to Thodoris Zagorakis, to all Greek players of UEFA Euro 2004, to PAOK, to the Greek Federation and the Northern Greece regional authorities for their warm support».

PAOK and Make-A-Wish Greece call you to join our effort in making one kid’s dream come true, in favour of other children fighting for their lives!

Information regarding tickets for the friendly match will be announced in upcoming days.

Regarding Make-A-Wish

The mission of Make-A-Wish Greece is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions and to enrich their human experience with hope, strength and joy. It was founded in Greece in 1996 and has granted wishes of more than 1.350 sick children, restoring their belief that dreams can come true, that they may get well! Through the wish procedure, we create unforgettable experiences and strong memories for the children and their families, so that children can gather strength, believe in life and win it back!

For more information regarding Make-A-Wish Greece, please contact:

Μake-A-Wish Greece

Headquarters

Karaiskaki 23 & Vouliagmenis Av., 16675, Glyfada

Tel.: 210-9637660- 7,

[email protected]

Thessaloniki office

Karatasou 1, Thessaloniki

Tel.: 2310 523978