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When the Bear Helps

When the Bear Helps

The event ‘Teribear moves Prague’ organised
by the Tereza-Maxová Foundation brings two worlds together:
sport and charity. By doing something for yourself, you help others in need. The concept is as simple as that.

27. 9. 2016 Škoda World Responsibility

E very kilometre counts...
The principle is simple: For every kilometre run, 50 CZK goes to projects in aid of disadvantaged children and youths – regardless of running style, pace or time of the runner. Last year, Štefan Krč – an unimposing elderly man – became the star of the event: The senior ultramarathon runner ran a total of 555 km in ten days.  You could very well meet him again on the run this year – he ran up to 11 hours a day. Just like Štefan Krč, many people from Prague take part in Teribear Runs - by day and at night. Each with their own story.

The teribear is the symbol for the foundation’s charity project.
The teribear is the symbol for the foundation’s charity project.

 

16:00

The Ambassador: Renata Langmannová
I am running to support the foundation. I am an ambassador of the Teribear project, and I can’t imagine not participating.  It’s great that the Teribear Run gives you the chance to do something for yourself as well as other people at the same time. This year I set myself a higher goal than last year; I’d like to run at least six kilometres each day.

 

16:30

THE PRESCHOOLERS: MATYÁŠ, KUBA, HUGO, ŠIMON 
We’re walking here for fun – and of course to help others. After training at the sport club Sparta Praha, we have only done one or two rounds – but fortunately every kilometre counts!

17:30

THE FAIRIES 
We are from the non-profit organization 'Good Fairies for Kids', which campaigns for children growing up in children's homes. We’re here with the children and we’re going to be running around the course ten times. The money we’re collecting will go to supporting children who can be returned to their families. 

18:00

THE DIRECTOR: JOSEF POVOLNÝ, DIRECTOR OF THE CHILDREN'S HOME IN KRNSKO WITH HANKA ABBASOVÁ
“Actually my doctor has told me not to run. But when I run for a good cause, I am convinced it alleviates my back pain. Health permitting, I will definitely be running in Mladá Boleslav, too. There is a great atmosphere here, and it’s good to meet like-minded people.”
“I grew up in a children’s home in Krnsko. I lived there for 13 years – between the ages of 11 and 24. It was only by chance that I met the director of the children’s home, and we ran two laps together. I would like to support children’s homes financially, especially in terms of education.” 

19:00

THE IRONMAN: JAN ŘEPA 
I’m a passionate triathlon athlete and currently preparing for the Ironman competition. Racing here is not challenging for me; I’m on my tenth lap now.  A year ago, I ran approximately 120 kilometres, this year I plan to cover at least 100 kilometres. The course is made for it – quite even with no gradient. The kilometres fly by. I like running most in the evening when it’s a bit cooler. Why do I do sport? I just love eating and drinking – if you don’t want to put on weight, you have to get moving.

19:30

THE PARAMEDIC JAN JEDLIČKA
I am from Krč and I always go running in the forest there. I took part in the Teribear Run last year, too – but I only managed 25 kilometres.  This year, I’d like to push the 200-km mark. My plan is to do 15 rounds every day, and 30 rounds on free days.  I actually work at the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine as a paramedic. I like the idea of charity being combined with sport – it’s a challenge.

21:00

THE SPACE SCIENTIST: KATEŘINA STŘELCOVÁ, 20 KM
I am running because I want to support this charity event while pursuing my passion for running. Running is a great balance to my work on the Galileo research project.

The more people that hear about this great project, the more will take part – I’m convinced of that. And who knows – maybe it will get more than Prague and Mladá Boleslav moving!

EVERY YEAR, TOMÁš MAXA HELPS WITH THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE CHARITY EVENT RUN BY HIS SISTER'S FOUNDATION

Families can also run for the Teribear project. And the organization of the event is also managed by a family. How do you help your sister?
I own an event agency, and since 2004 we have organized at least one event a year for Tereza’s foundation free of charge.

‘Teribear moves Prague’ is taking place for the second time. Which events have been organised in the past?
We began with the fashion show 'Fashion for kids'. Previously, the foundation had mainly been involved in corporate fundraising, so they turned to businesses and the events were usually run for a closed company. But a year ago, the Foundation decided to appeal to the public, as well.

Who came up with the idea of unlimited running?
Tereza. It was in Monaco that she first saw the concept of unlimited running where the proceeds go to charitable causes. She took part in the event several times and thought it would be good to stage something similar here in the Czech Republic.

I like helping my sister, Tomáš Maxa says.
I like helping my sister, Tomáš Maxa says.

02:00

THE THAI BOXER: VIT HRUŠKA WITH HIS DOG BUFFY
I’m a passionate Thai boxer – and this requires not getting out of breath easily. That's why I came here with the whole team. We simply wanted to do something good.

04:00

THE RECORD HOLDER: ŠTEFAN KRČ
I started running 12 years ago, and I’ve been running ultramarathons for a few years now. I'm more of a leisurely type when I’m running. My motto: distance over speed. I managed 555 kilometres in last year’s Teribear Run. During the first five months of this year, I have run more than 3,000 kilometres already! And now I have to get back to it! It’s kilometres that count, not words.

06:00

THE PILSEN RUNNER: ESTER SUCHANOVÁ
I love running often. I'm from Pilsen and because I wanted to support the charity, I came to Letná with a friend. We also organise charity runs in Pilsen – this is how we support children’s homes or dogs’ homes with our running club. I don’t mind what the money is spent on, the main thing is that it goes to help those in need.

07:00

The triathlete: Tomáš Lauer, 5 km
I do triathlons, so I run as often as possible. Anywhere! I don’t normally visit the Letná area of Prague because it’s just too busy for me.  But for a good cause, I like running anywhere, that’s why I took part in this event last year, too. I also go training late at night after work, especially when it’s so warm like this September. At night it’s quiet and cool. I sleep better after running, as well.  

08:00

THE FAMILY: MARTIN TUČEK WITH HIS SON LUKÁŠEK
I’m not really much of a runner. But I’ll do it for a good cause. We plan to come here every day apart from at weekend. As we don’t live far from here, we would run at least two laps early in the morning and at least four laps in the evening.

9:00

THE UNSHAKEABLE: MARTIN POLESNÝ
A year ago, I could manage 70 km a day in Mladá Boleslav. I’ve had problems with my lower leg since Christmas, though, and that’s why I haven’t been able to do any sport.  I’ll make an exception for the Teribear Run, even though I’ll have to take it easy. Because you simply have to join in this great project: Doing sport – I love running, mountain biking and resistance training – and at the same time helping children. Simply Clever!

RUNNING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

The principle is simple For every kilometre run, 50 CZK goes to projects in aid of disadvantaged children and youths – regardless of running style, pace or time of the runner.
The principle is simple For every kilometre run, 50 CZK goes to projects in aid of disadvantaged children and youths – regardless of running style, pace or time of the runner.

 

Whether couch potato or power runner: 9,456 people have laced up their running shoes this year for the tenth time, running a total of 159,348.75 kilometres – the equivalent of twice around the globe. No personal bests were set on the 1.25 kilometre-track in Letná Park; it was all about taking part.  The ten-day charity event, held from 8 to 17 September, was open to everybody. Equipped with a chip, participants could run, jog or stroll along the set route. For each kilometre, the partners of the event donated 50 CZK to a project to support disadvantaged children, which the participants had previously selected. The results can be found at www.teribear.cz. The event on 22 September was held under the slogan ‘Teribear moves Mladá Boleslav’ at the traditional Czech brand’s headquarters.

ŠKODA AUTO obviously couldn’t pass up the opportunity to enter runners in the teams category. Even Board Member Dieter Seemann (third from left) took part.
ŠKODA AUTO obviously couldn’t pass up the opportunity to enter runners in the teams category. Even Board Member Dieter Seemann (third from left) took part.

10:00

The challenger Monika Dušková
Sport is an important part of my life: running and Crossfit are part of my everyday life! I took on the Teribear Run as a new challenge. For a good cause, I wanted to stretch my limits, and I’ve made it to 70 kilometres!  

11:00

THE PRAGUE CASTLE GUARD MICHAL PÁVEL, 316.25 KM
I’ve been running since my childhood. But I also need endurance and stamina in my job as a Prague Castle guard. Apart from that, I’m very fond of the Foundation, and I’ve been supporting them since 1999.

12:00

THE SOCIALIZER: ŠTĚPÁN ŠPRINGL
I’ve always done a lot of sports but I only started running in 2012 – initially alone, later I joined some running groups. I enjoy fell running as well as trail running, but I also do road running, especially if it is for a good cause. I like the fact you can decide how much money is donated and how much you add through your own efforts.

13:00

THE INVENTOR RADIM MADR, 106.25 KM
Running really clears your head – exactly what’s needed after a day sitting at the computer, as I’m a web application provider. Perseverance is definitely worth having in sport, too: I enjoy playing football often because being in good condition is the alpha and omega.

14:00

THE DANCERS: EMÍLIE, ADAM AND ANDREA, CHILDREN FROM THE CHILDREN'S HOME IN KRNSKO 
Andrea: “If I could decide, I would like to send the money to children in Africa, so that they have something to eat and drink, and especially so that they could learn.

In our free time, we like dancing the ‘Electrobuggy’”

15:00

THE STRONG-WILLED: PETR TŮMA
Several years ago I had gained a lot of weight, so I started running. I still weigh 130 kilos. I’ve been running like this for ten years. I am here because of Štefan Krč; we run together now and then on the long, one-day runs. Because I knew he had set a running record a year ago, I joined him this year. He’s twice as good as I am anyway. Running begins in the mind. It sometimes appears to me that only older people run these long routes where, for example, 600 kilometres are covered in a week. What's needed for this is calm – in the mind as well as in life.

QUESTIONS FOR TEREZA MAXOVÁ

Teribear is the “hero teddy" and the main symbol of the Tereza Maxová Foundation fundraising project. It was created in 2009 in response to the high number of children in the Czech Republic growing up in the institutional care. Since then, the foundation has collected more than 6 million crowns under the Teribear brand, and distributed it to those in need.

Who exactly does your foundation support?
Mainly children in children's homes. However, Teribear also supports returning children in orphanages to their families, or endeavours to keep families together – provided it’s safe for the children – and to prevent the placement of children in children's homes.  Teribear also helps mothers in need, so that they can educate their children themselves, and provide them with everything they require. In short Teribear helps all disadvantaged children.

A year ago, some 4,000 runners took part in Teribear runs, raising more than 3.8 million crowns.  This year, the event has raised more than double. I’m sure you are delighted with this result, but what do you think? How have you achieved it?
It's great and we’re immensely pleased about it. I think the Czechs simply love competition. People enjoy doing sports and helping others at the same time.  Also, we have improved the event since last year: Families and teams could participate fully – the fact that they can run together and help at the same time has motivated friends or colleagues at work.

Maxova and this year's best runners.
Maxova and this year's best runners.

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  1. charity
  2. People
  3. TERIBEAR

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