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Cycling race in Istanbul raises money for children of deceased health workers
Published: Jun 14, 2021 11:27 AM
Cyclists take part in a cycling event in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 13, 2021. Turkey hosted Sunday a cycling event in the biggest city Istanbul to raise funds for the children of the healthcare workers who died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.(Photo: Xinhua)

Cyclists take part in a cycling event in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 13, 2021. Turkey hosted Sunday a cycling event in the biggest city Istanbul to raise funds for the children of the healthcare workers who died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
Cyclists take part in a cycling event in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 13, 2021. Turkey hosted Sunday a cycling event in the biggest city Istanbul to raise funds for the children of the healthcare workers who died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.(Photo: Xinhua)

Cyclists take part in a cycling event in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 13, 2021. Turkey hosted Sunday a cycling event in the biggest city Istanbul to raise funds for the children of the healthcare workers who died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
Cyclists take part in a cycling event in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 13, 2021. Turkey hosted Sunday a cycling event in the biggest city Istanbul to raise funds for the children of the healthcare workers who died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.(Photo: Xinhua)

Cyclists take part in a cycling event in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 13, 2021. Turkey hosted Sunday a cycling event in the biggest city Istanbul to raise funds for the children of the healthcare workers who died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
Turkey hosted Sunday a cycling event in the biggest city Istanbul to raise funds for the children of the healthcare workers who died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 1,000 cyclists from 15 countries gathered on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait to take part in the Gran Fondo series, a long-distance road cycling ride.

"We do not only do sports here, but we also carry a social responsibility project," Murat Erkan, general manager of Turkcell, Turkey's telecommunication and technology services provider that organized the event, told Xinhua.

Erkan noted that his company offered to buy electronic waste such as mobile phones, tablets, computers, and accessories from participating cyclists and audiences, so they could use the money to offer scholarships for children of the heroes who lost their lives fighting the deadly virus.

According to press reports released in March, more than 400 healthcare workers have died in Turkey after getting infected with the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.

"This (the entire project) is something very important, and we are pleased to be a part of it," Erkan said.

Those who do not have any electronic waste could also directly donate money, said Erkan.

Zuleyha Dikbas, a participating cyclist, said that the project has a "truly meaningful" purpose.

"We are very happy in this sense," she told Xinhua.