A charity dinner in loving memory of Maria Nicolaou Adamou – who lost her battle 3 years ago at the age of 46 – was organised at the Cypriot Community Centre last Friday (29/12/2019) by Parikiaki Newspaper together with the Cypriot Women’s League.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to Radiomarathon for children and adults with special needs; the total amount was not disclosed at the time of going to press.
As part of the charity dinner, the guests had the opportunity to play bingo and buy raffle tickets with the chance to win amazing prizes donated by our kind sponsors. The ballroom was decorated with beautiful flowers and balloons in Maria’s favourite colour, yellow, but out of respect for her memory, there was no background music.
The event was hosted by journalist George Michaelides who spoke through powerful lyrics and poems about love, loss and solidarity.
Managing Director of Parikiaki newspaper, Bambos Charalambous, referred to Maria’s noble character: “Maria was a generous and loving person. Like everyone else, she had dreams, but unfortunately, she didn’t manage to fulfil them.”
The Right Reverend Athanasios Bishop of Tropaeou congratulated the organisers of the event and welcomed the important steps that society has taken in dealing with children with disabilities. He also made a brief reference to the recent passing of Archbishop Gregorios.
On behalf of the Cypriot Women’s League and the Cypriot Community Centre, Mrs Suzie Constantinides described Maria as a “courageous and kind soul” who loved to offer to the community of which she was an active member.
As President of Radiomarathon, Mr Antonis Gerolemou highlighted the importance of the family’s contribution.
Marina, a loving friend and cousin of Maria’s, gave an in depth speech about what the event aims to achieve. She said, “Last year, with the help of their family and friends, Neophytos and Evoulla organised the first fundraising event in memory of their beloved daughter. The volume of support they received by our community has inspired them to organise a second event in the hope that they can make further contribution to Radiomarathon for children with special needs.”
She proceeded to speak about Maria’s loved ones who had been a huge help during her final struggling year; sister Egli who “included her niece and nephew in her daily routine and cared for them day and night whenever she could”; friend Joelle who gifted a NutriBullet to make sure Maria started each day with a smoothie boost; cousin Marianna who whisked Maria off for a pampering weekend stay at The Grove; brother Alex and sister-in-law Helen who devoted their summer holiday to Maria’s children, making sure they had a great time at Centre Parcs, despite their mother not being able to join them; good friend Thalia who made Maria laugh until tears rolled down her face when she was pulled up from the audience by Strictly Come Dancing’s Pasha at the Millfield Theatre, joining him on stage with her own version of the salsa – “absolutely priceless.”
Marina continued, “If I had to choose one word to describe Maria, it would be love. Maria symbolised love, She radiated love and she absorbed love, she brought love out of people and consumed people with love. That love stemmed from her parents, Neophytos and Evoulla loved her completely and unconditionally, the type of love that only a parent can know….Maria knew how blessed she was to have parents like them. Now they have to endure the pain of still having all that love for her without having her here to express it.”
No one was left unmoved when Maria’s father, Neophytos Nicolaou, stepped up. Trying to hold back his tears he said, “our family would like to thank all those who helped us through this difficult time and for your presence here tonight to help raise funds for a worthy cause.”