The Gewiss Stadium opened its gates to host the giving ceremony of the Christmas Match shirts: the plain yet unique soirée crowned the 13th edition of the charity auction, which raised the accumulated tally of 32,750 euros – soon to be devolved in its entirety to the Amici della Pediatria non-profit association, an important organization that volunteers at the ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII in Bergamo.

Floodlighting the Gewiss Stadium with their generosity, the auction winners made the 2023 edition of the charity initiative – first born in 2010 at the behest of our President Antonio Percassi – all the more outstanding.

Atalanta BC Director General Umberto Marino wished to convey the “institutional acknowledgement on behalf of the Club to all of you who, again this year, have given your invaluable contribution to place the due emphasis on a red-letter date on our agenda. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Associazione Amici della Pediatria for the sterling work carried out each and every single day to meet the needs and aspirations of all hospitalized children an their parents”.

Turning to the auction winners, coach Gian Piero Gasperini cared to underscore: “You may come here to support Atalanta and to support us; but, mark my words, today’s victory outclasses each and every possible win on this very same pitch in every respect, be it relevance, magnitude and emotional transport. We are the ones who should take a bow to you all, for your gesture and for everything you’ve done, and to the unsung heroes from the Amici della Pediatria charity for the silent yet  unrivaled work they’ve been carrying out over the years on end. We can’t help but take a much due step back in situations like these”.

All proceeds from the 13th Christmas Match charity auction have been devolved to the benefit of the Associazione Amici della Pediatria ETS ODV and will be enable the charity to implement a crucial initiative, as explained by ADP President Milena Lazzaroni: “The Ben_Essere project stems from the awareness of  having dedicated professionals to cater the rehabilitation and pedagogical needs of all children who have been admitted to the Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital. Namely, implementing a strategy pivoted on the inclusion of professionals adept in fields such as pedagogy, psychomotricity, neuro-psychomotricity, logopedics and physiotherapy is bound to ensure countless benefit to both children and their families, hence ensuring a better recovery overall also thanks to the presence of a completely dedicated staffing, operating to ensure the meeting of whichever need may arise within the medical team on an individual basis. Whenever they’re called on to hit the pitch for the sake of togetherness, Bergamo and  Atalanta always respond with enthusiasms, generosity and unwavering trust. We’re honored and humbled to  make an historical step forward in fulfilling a dream capable of spurring the well-being of all hospitalized children. From the bottom of my heart, my deepest thanks.”

Moving on to Atalanta BC Commercial and Marketing Director Romano Zanforlin: “First established in 2010 at the behest of our President Antonio Percassi the charity auction of the Christmas Match kit has transcended its original status and, over the year, has become a catalyst, capable of strengthening the bond between Atalanta and their fans, side by side also in the name of charity”.

The shirt auction was held in collaboration with the “Tutto Atalanta” programme on Bergamo TV: our sincere and heartfelt thanks go to presenter Matteo De Sanctis, his team and the TV station.

Finally, a big thank you to all those who participated in the auction, both those who won a shirt and those who, despite their best efforts, did not for their contribution to the success of this initiative with their bid.

On the cover, the winners of the 13th edition of the Christmas Match Charity Auction pose for a picture with Director General Umberto Marino, Coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Commercial and Marketing Director Romano Zanforlin, President of the Amici della Pediatria Association Milena Lazzaroni and Secretary General of the Fondazione della Comunità bergamasca Federica Bruletti