(VEE) CHARITY PROJECT "MOTOFORPEACE" ARRIVES IN CANADA

(VELINO) Roma, 9 May - The "MotoForPeace" group has arrived in Ottawa on the Canadian leg of its tour. The non-profit organisation, which includes members of the Italian and other European police forces, has a dual purpose, charity and the promotion of cooperation between the different police corps. Sponsored by the Chief of Police and the Department of the State Police in partnership with the International Police Cooperation Service - Interpol Division, it focuses on aid projects for children living in poverty. The mission began in Panama on March 14 following which the group rode across Central America, where funds were raised for the renovation of a shelter in Bolivia, one year's coverage of medical expenses for children housed by a non-profit organisation in Honduras and the financing of health facilities for the most deprived areas of the country's two cities. Then it arrived in the United States before moving on to Toronto and Ottawa, following a programme organised by Carabinieri Lieutenant Colonel Giorgio Tommaseo, a security expert for the Ministry of Interior in service at the Italian embassy in Canada, in agreement with local police, the associations of staff on leave of the Italian police and the International Police Association. In addition to meetings organised by the Canadian police, the group was welcomed on its arrival in Toronto by Italy's Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli, who arranged an event with the Italian community. Subsequently, at the residence of the Italian ambassador to Canada, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, "MotoForPeace" led by President Bernard Lepore met representatives of Italian communities and Canadian law enforcement. The group's project was outlined to those present, in part through screening of a video recapitulating the missions and charitable programmes completed. Ambassador Cornado addressed a warm welcome to the participants, focussing on the commendable aims of the event as well as on the strong message of solidarity inherent in the project. The Ottawa stop also includes a meeting with the commander of the city police Charles Bordeleau and a visit to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police training centre. vel
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