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Raluca Bragarea

Head of Communications, Bucharest

Part of UK in Romania

28th March 2011 Bucharest, Romania

Charity walk Bucharest-Brasov

The wonderful work of charities clearly makes its mark in Romania this summer, with many British charities and individuals signing up to help the poorer communities or those affected by illness.

I was particularly moved to learn about an upcoming charity walk from Bucharest to Brasov aimed at raising awareness about and funds for injured people from the sports’ world, in particular rugby players. One British national and one Romanian of Hungarian origin will do the walk over 4 days, 22-25 September, in support of the charity Friends of Romanian Rugby (FoRR). The charity was formed when George Balta, a young Romanian rugby player, sustained a serious spinal injury while playing rugby and was tragically left paralyzed from the chest down. Since then the charity, helped by many companies, the Romanian Rugby Federation, the Romanian Olympic Committee and individuals too many to mention, have financially and spiritually helped George and his family through this extremely difficult period in their lives.

The piece de resistance of these efforts came to fruition early this year when George and his family moved out of their tiny basement flat into a purpose built house funded by FoRR and friends. FoRR has strong links with Hearts and Balls a charity in Scotland which also supports injured rugby players and who made a very generous contribution to the labour costs of finishing the house for George and his family.

The walk is going to take place over 4 stages and will start from the Dubliner Irish Pub in Bucuresti and end in Dean’s Irish Pub in Brasov – a total of 168 kilometres. If you would be interested to join this initiative, you could sponsor the walk, sponsor a stage or simply join the two fundraisers. I understand they plan to make this an annual event – do you think it is a good idea?

About Raluca Bragarea

I joined the British Embassy in 2004, and have ever since enjoyed one of the most diverse and challenging jobs as a professional communicator, from partnering up with MTV Romania…

I joined the British Embassy in 2004, and have ever since
enjoyed one of the most diverse and challenging jobs as a professional
communicator, from partnering up with MTV Romania to promote the UN
anti-poverty agenda to handling Prince Charles’ press conference on a
hill top in picturesque Transylvania. One of the highlights working for
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been the introduction of an
internship scheme in the Embassy; we bring along students from various
backgrounds to help us deliver our objectives while they get a unique
opportunity to learn hands-on about diplomacy.
I am a former TV journalist, specialising in foreign affairs, and a
Fulbright scholar. I hold a Master of Arts in Information and
Communication Studies with California State University at Chico.
I am a major cafe latte fan and like to collect hand-painted icons.
My other hobbies include travelling and watching movies with friends,
particularly Quentin Tarantino’s. The latest memorable film I watched
was District 9, a superb science fiction with a social twist – anybody
seen it?

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