"I plan to ride 100 km (i.e., 50 laps around the Royal Game Reserve) on a Brompton folding bike. Why? Because it's crazy, exhausting, and a bit tragicomic – just like funding social services in our country. For every kilometre, I hope to find a donor who will support the new elevator for Sue Ryder," Matěj said in June.
And how did the elevator fundraiser turn out?
Matěj Lejsal approached 76 donors, who contributed a total of CZK 187,532 towards the new lift. But even before him, 370 donors had already pedalled their way into philanthropy! The total amount raised is now CZK 1,639,282. The new elevator costs CZK 1.7 million excluding VAT, plus construction preparation costs.
The new elevator means significant operating costs, which the Czech social services system does not account for. Sue Ryder, like other non-profits and social service providers, cannot cover these costs from regular operations. This needs to change. Sue Ryder, together with other organisations, has been trying to negotiate this with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for 20 years. We believe that this change will eventually happen. Until then, the replacement of the elevator will depend on the generosity of people with kind hearts.
Thank you for your dedication, dear donors. We can almost see the light at the end of the shaft!
"We have signed a contract for the delivery of the new elevator with OTIS, who have provided us with better terms and a financial donation for the new lift. The city has granted us approval for the replacement and we are now working on the building permit. At the same time, we will soon be making the advance payment," says Petr Havelík from the administration.
I also want to support dignified care for seniors