Thanks to new Israeli citizen and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, 35 Israeli children with special needs or illnesses were flown to Moscow on Sunday to take part in the excitement surrounding the World Cup soccer championship.
The NGO “Fulfilling Dreams” raised 750,000 shekels toward the once-in-a-lifetime experience, with almost 43 percent of the funds coming from Abramovich. The billionaire, who made aliyah at the end of May, also helped send 55 children to the Euro Championship in France in 2016 and to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
A spokesman said that “Mr. Abramovich is supporting ’Fulfilling Dreams’ for the third major tournament, following the Brazil World Cup and France Euros, and we continue to be impressed by the selfless work [the organization is] doing. The fact that the World Cup is here in Russia this year makes it even more special, and we hope the kids take home some great memories.”
