Solidarity wins hearts with over a million euros donated

Even before the starting whistle blew, a lively atmosphere accompanied all 90 minutes of the nineteenth “Partita del Cuore” (Game of the Heart) held at Modena’s Braglia Stadium, as the red heart of Ferrari paid tribute to the warmth with which so many people supported the Telethon fund raising initiative. For the past twenty years, this foundation has worked to finance research into muscular dystrophy and other genetic illnesses, under the presidency of Luca di Montezemolo.

120,000 spectators filled the Modena Stadium for an evening of sport and solidarity to watch the Nazionale Cantanti (National Singers) team, captained by Eros Ramazzotti play the newly formed Telethon Team, supported by Ferrari, alongside stars from the world of show business and sport. Three of the Scuderia’s Formula 1 drivers took part: Fernando Alonso, Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa.

Showing just how important is the Maranello company’s support of the Telethon Foundation, the event was attended not only by President Luca di Montezemolo, but also by team principal Stefano Domenicali, in the role of technical director, assisting the trainer Claudio Ranieri, as well as Ferrari vice-president, Piero Ferrari and a good number of other representatives of the Prancing Horse.

At the final whistle, it was the Telethon Team that won, 12 – 11, although the real winner on the night was the extraordinary generosity of the people of Modena, who packed the grandstands, as well as so many other Italians who watched the game live on TV. Thanks to them and to donations sent by phone text, Telethon reached a total figure of over a million Euros. And those donations are still on-going today, as the 45503 number is still up and running ready to take more text message donations.

Part of the donation will go to the Fondazione Parco of Mistica Onlus, set up to create a sports facility through Legalita e Solidarieta, a centre to promote culture and at the same time operate as a centre for retraining and recuperation on the 33 hectare site “Tenuta della Mistica” close to the Rome ring road.

Source: Ferrari.com

Ferrari supports Telethon at the "Partita del Cuore" - 25 May, Braglia stadium, Modena

Modena, 5 May 2010

The press conference for the 2010 fund-raising "Partita del Cuore" football match with the Telethon team and the "Nazionale Cantanti" was held today. The match will be played in Modena at the Braglia stadium on 25 May at 9pm and shown live on Italy's main TV channel, Rai1. Piero Ferrari, Ferrari Vice President, Giorgio Pighi, Modena's mayor, Gianluca Pecchini, General Director of the Nazionale Cantanti (Pop stars' National team) and Francesca Pasinelli, Telethon General Director, presented the details of the project today in Modena.

Piero Ferrari recalled Enzo Ferrari's dedication to research, starting in the 1950s when he founded the Dino Ferrari Centre. He also underlined his great pleasure in Ferrari's continuing support of Telethon's fund-raising activities in the spirit of his father, with the Scuderia Ferrari drivers Alonso, Massa and Fisichella, and team principle Stefano Domenicali all playing in the match. "Research needs dedication and consistency, we need to look towards the future and, just like Ferrari has always done, so does Telethon with its commitment to important research projects that keep hope alive." Mayor Pighi underlined how the city of Modena is happy to play a leading role in reaching these objectives, and said he was certain that the city, known for its solidarity in such important causes, would rise to the occasion.

Also attending the press conference was popular Italian singer, Paolo Belli, one of the rival team's players as well as one of the strongest supporters for holding the match in Modena. He claimed to be a little "worried" about the Ferrari drivers' well known football skills. The event was also attended by Sonohra, a group that represents Italy's young artists who will form the future of the Nazionale Cantanti, as well as Giuliano Razzoli, special slalom Olympic Champion at Vancouver 2010, who will play for the Telethon team. Amongst the artists and sportsmen who will participate in the match are also Eros Ramazzotti, Gigi D'Alessio, Enrico Ruggeri, Claudio Baglioni, Francesco Facchinetti, Antonio Cassano and Alessandro Costacurta.

Source: Ferrari.com

Ramazzotti, Belli and Alonso promoting "Partita del Cuore" match

Eros Ramazzotti, Paolo Belli and Fernando Alonso are the protagonists of a TV ad, promoting the "Partita del Cuore" football match between the Nazionale Cantanti, Italian musicians, and the Squadra Telethon, where also the three Scuderia Ferrari are playing.

The match will be held on 25 May in Modena and is shown live on RAI Uno at 9pm. The entries will go to the Telethon and the Parco della Mistica Onlus Foundations.

The Nazionale Cantanti is made up of Gianni Morandi, Enrico Ruggeri, Luca Barbarossa, Gigi D'Alessio, while the Telethon team, with its logo sported on the Ferrari drivers’ overalls, is formed by Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Giancarlo Fisichella and Scuderia Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali as well as Italian sportsmen and VIPs from show business such as Antonio Cassano and Raul Bova.

The TV spot, directed by Marco Lonardo and set up by Claudio Fasulo was shot at the Fiorano circuit, where Ramazzotti arrived behind the wheel of a Ferrari California, inviting Alonso to the match. The Scuderia driver accepted under the condition that he could bring his friends Massa and Fisichella and to be allowed to drive the Ferrari California.

The TV ad is part of the communication campaign run by the "Partita del Cuore", appearing also on radio and in magazines.

Source: Ferrari.com