Women in Travel Retail+ (WiTR+) has surpassed its fundraising goal for its 2024 charity, For Resilience Italian Swiss Association’s (FRASI) Bike to School project.
The aim was to reach US$16,444.13 (€15,000), but thanks to generous donations from Victoria’s Secret, Brown-Forman and attendees at WiTR+’s networking events throughout the year, the organisation has raised an impressive US$28,288.54 (€25,800).
As reported, the initiative was proposed by Patricia Bona, Co-Founder and Co-Owner (with husband Jean-Jacques Bona) of fragrance and beauty distributor Essence Corp.
FRASI is a non-profit founded in Lugano, Switzerland in 2012. The organisation works to support people who find themselves in vulnerable conditions – in particular boys, girls and women – operating in countries where humanitarian crises arise.
Its Bike to School project was born to help prevent boys and girls from dropping out of school, providing them with means of transportation as Sri Lanka experiences its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948.
Children are quitting school as the walk there and back is fraught with danger. This means that not only do they lose basic education but also their only guaranteed meal of the day.
In response, FRASI launched the Bike to School project to provide students with a bicycle plus accessories and training so they have everything they need to get to and from school safely and efficiently.
Bona said: “Thanks to WiTR+ members’ generosity, our initial goal of delivering 100 bicycles to students was surpassed, and FRASI is now organising a second delivery focusing especially on young girls.
“Together we did it – we are grateful that 200 students will receive access to education, be safe on the roads and be proud to own a bicycle.” ✈
