Macron and Virtus Bologna join forces in aid of Emilia-Romagna

On Sunday 28^th of May, in the warm-up for the semi-final playoffs against Bertram Derthona Tortona, the players of Virtus Segafredo Bologna will wear a T-shirt in aid of Emilia-Romagna, specially made by the team at Macron in collaboration with the Emilia-Romagna regional council.

The initiative is part of a fundraising campaign in aid of the thousands of people affected by recent flooding in the region. The T-shirts demonstrate Macron's and Virtus Bologna’s determination to provide practical support and to show their love for the region that is home to them both.

Luca Baraldi, CEO of Virtus Segafredo Bologna: “This is an initiative that we strongly desired, as a sign of our connection and sympathy to the people of our region. The creation of this jersey allows us to give concrete form to the help that the club and our fans can offer to this great solidarity initiative. I would like to thank the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Stefano Bonaccini, for his enthusiastic welcome to our initiative, and the CEO of Macron S.p.A., Gianluca Pavanello, who immediately responded decisively to this collaboration for a truly important purpose”.

“Every action is essential at this time to support a population and a wounded land. A land that is ours,” said Gianluca Pavanello, CEO of Macron. “We feel particularly involved and we are happy to be at the side of Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Regione Emilia-Romagna through this initiative that I am sure will have the full support of the people of Bologna, and of Virtus fans”.

"A heartfelt thank you to Virtus and Macron for Sunday’s initiative,” says Region President Stefano Bonaccini. “The world of sports, from the clubs to the fans, has mobilised the most for the people affected by the floods, demonstrating once again that solidarity is one of the most fundamental values of every sporting discipline and practice, whether competitive or not, professional or amateur. In the same way, the fundraising campaign that we have launched as a region, 'Un aiuto per l'Emilia-Romagna' (Help for Emilia-Romagna), is receiving huge traction, with donations, both small and large, from large groups and populations but, above all, from many citizens. I want to thank Virtus and Macron again; together, with everyone's commitment, we will rise once more".

The T-shirts will go on sale the same Sunday in the store of the Virtus Segafredo Arena. Proceeds will be devolved entirely in aid of those affected by the floods.

The special T-shirt is black with the image of a basketball court in the centre. The words ‘V NERE IN CAMPO PER’ appear in white at the top, followed by ‘EMILIA-ROMAGNA’ inside the basketball court below. The complete phrase reads ‘THE BLACK Vs PLAY FOR EMILIA-ROMAGNA’. The Virtus badge also appears in red along with a map of the region. The hashtag #AMOREINFINITOxER (INFINITE LOVE FOR ER) decorates the bottom of the shirt. A white Macron Hero is emblazoned on the chest along with the badge of Virtus Segafredo Bologna and the badge of the Emilia-Romagna region beneath.

The T-shirt delivers a clear message and makes an appeal to which Virtus fans and others will certainly respond through love, not only for the team but also for the entire region.