On 28 September 2019, UniCredit Bank and Life as a Miracle Charity Foundation hosted the Running for a Miracle Charity race at the VDNKh (Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy) to support children with serious liver disorders.

About 1500 participants and supporters attended the race on Saturday. The participants, including the youngest one who was only 1 year old, covered distances from 400m to 10km along the renovated site of the VDNKh. The racers’ check-in fees and guests’ donations amounted to RUB 3 350 469. UniCredit Bank contributed a further RUB 2.5 million to the cause. This money will be used to treat children suffering from serious liver disorders under the care of Life as a Miracle Charity Foundation.

2019 is the anniversary year for the orginisers: Life as a Miracle Charity Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary and UniCredit Bank — its 30th anniversary in Russia. Furthermore, the VDNKh that hosted the event is celebrating its 80th anniversary. The race provided an excellent opportunity to mark all anniversaries together with a large-scale charity event suitable for the whole family. All participants earned a medal to remember the event and the young athletes were also offered a rich entertainment programme: master classes, games, illusionist show, etc.

«During the over 30 years of its operations, the Bank has been involved in multiple charity and volunteering projects, and in this anniversary year, we decided both to support one of the races and to arrange our own sports event. It proved to be a memorable day for the participants and made it possible to raise funds that will help children in their health struggles», said Mikhail Povaliy, Member of the Management Board of UniCredit Bank. «We thank our long-standing partner — Life as a Miracle Charity Foundation — whose involvement was crucial for the implementation of this important and much-needed initiative. We are certain that no company can succeed without a strong culture of social responsibility and we take much pride in our employees who supported the race and contributed to helping the patients under the Foundation’s care».

«The Running for a Miracle Charity race became a very important event for all of us. Thanks to our good friends — UniCredit Bank and the VDNKh — we managed to arrange this beautiful and heartful event. The donations we have raised that amounted to 3 350 469 rubles will help to pay for medical examinations and treatment for many children suffering from serious liver disorders. We thank everyone who has helped us: runners, supporters, volunteers and all our friends who contributed to our first race. Our thanks to everyone!», said Anastasia Cherepanova, Director of the Life as a Miracle Charity Foundation.

UniCredit Bank is a Russian commercial bank, operating in Russia since 1989. Ranked 9th by total assets based on Q2 2019 results (Interfax-100 ranking), UniCredit Bank is one of largest banks in Russia. UniCredit Bank is fully owned (100%) by UniCredit Group (UniCredit S.p.A.). The Bank benefits from its strong position in the large Russian corporate finance market and sustainable retail banking business. UniCredit Bank operates under General Banking License № 1 of Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

Life as a Miracle Charity Foundation has been supporting children and adults with serious liver disorders since 2009. Over 10 years of its operation, the Foundation has supported 560 patients in need of treatment and medical supervision. The Foundation helps to cover the surgery, drug, and travel costs and with other needs, and is generally promoting the idea of charity.

The VDNKh is a unique urban space open to everyone. It represents a perfect environment for cultural, educational, and sports recreation. In 2018, the Exhibition attracted 30 million guests. In 2019, the VDNKh is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Guests will be able to take part in multiple events.