Posted on 02 February 2021
In March 2020, the European University Institute (EUI) organised a crowdfunding campaign to support the extraordinary acts of care during the COVID-19 outbreak. With the contribution of staff, the staff union and the Institute’s alumni association, the Red Cross in Florence bought a new vehicle equipped for the transport of people with disabilities. On 1 February 2021, the vehicle was officially handed over to the Red Cross in a ceremony at the EUI’s Villa Salviati.
Members of CRI Firenze and EUI Staff members Pauline Depierreux and Andrea Sacchettini stand in front of the new vehicle
CRI Firenze was represented by its President Lorenzo Andreoni and Ilario Fabbri. For the EUI, President Renaud Dehousse and Secretary General Marco Del Panta were present, as well as Agnès Brouet (President of the staff union) and Diego Garzia (the Treasurer of the alumni association).
Staff members Pauline Depierreux and Andrea Sacchettini also took part in the ceremony. Like several other EUI colleagues, they volunteer for the Red Cross. Last year, they recounted their experiences during the first months of the COVID-19 epidemic.
EUI President Renaud Dehousse said:
“The European University Institute cares about Florence, the beautiful city that hosts our Institute and its community. Our staff members, researchers and their families live in and around Florence and the COVID-19 epidemic affects us all. We are fortunate to be able to count on the extraordinary efforts of the Red Cross and all its volunteers. "
“Our contribution is a small sign of our wish to be part of the Florentine community. It is a decision that does not come from above, but spontaneously from our community, in this particularly difficult period.”
President of the EUI, Renaud Dehousse and CRI President, Lorenzo Andreoni at the handover ceremony