Faruk Suljović embarks on humanitarian marathon from Sarajevo to Istanbul for Anelija Smajić

(Patria) - Bosnian athlete Faruk Suljović, known for his humanitarian endeavours, begins a new challenge on 25 April 2025 – a marathon over 1,200 kilometres, during which he will run and cycle to connect Sarajevo and Istanbul. This route passes through four countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

The goal of this extraordinary physical and human adventure is to raise funds for the treatment of oncology patient Anelija Smajić, a brave mother of three children. Those who wish to help can do so by calling 17041, making a transfer to the giro account, or via the web campaign of the humanitarian organisation Pomozi.ba, which is again the main partner of the project this year. Money is paid into giro accounts with the reference “1,200 kilometres for Anelija”, and the campaign link is as follows: https://pomoziba.org/campaign/1770/1-200-kilometara-za-aneliju

This mother of three sent a message to Faruk, which can be viewed in the video on the YouTube channel “Pomozi.ba”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGAe3htJcCk

“I was really shaken when I saw Anelija’s children, who are the same age as I was when I lost my father. When I see them, it is hard for me to think about the situation they are in, what they are going through, because I went through all of this myself. I really want to help her, to raise as much money as possible for her treatment so that her children simply do not have that trauma in life like I did,” said Faruk Suljović at the press conference held today, 21 April, at the premises of the Association “Pomozi.ba”.

One of the ambassadors of this humanitarian marathon, renowned Bosnian luger Mirza Nikolajev, said that for him life is above all else.

“As soon as he told me about this situation, what else could I do but come and support. I am here to be in the right place. As the song says, ‘When small hands join together, anything is possible’. So we know that we cannot do everything alone, we have to ask someone for help. I hope that more people will get involved to help. Honestly, I did not even know that medicines cost this much,” said Nikolajev.

Throughout the journey, Faruk will be accompanied by a team of three people responsible for logistical support, while project ambassadors will use social networks and media to raise awareness of the importance of this humanitarian mission.

Friends of this humanitarian-sports project are: Hifa Petrol, Kantić Touristik, BEMA BA, Adria Cars, MB Media, Amra Džeko, Džanan Musa, Mirza Nikolajev, Helem Nejse, Marko Louis, Nedim Sladić, Emir Hastor, Mahir Mujić, Lana Lekić, Alma Fazlić, Amela Ivković O’Reilly, Ilma Karahmet, Mersed Ibrahimović.

We invite all media, sponsors, influencers and citizens to get involved and support this noble cause. Together we can make a difference.

ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENTS
PayPal:
[email protected]
(1,200 kilometres for Anelija)

For payments from BiH:
UniCredit Bank
338-730-22202506-52
Intesa Sanpaolo Banka BiH
154-180-20085330-48
Raiffeisen Bank
161-000-02481200-94
Bosna Bank International d.d.
141-306-53201196-79
NLB Banka d.d.
132-260-20223371-17
ZiraatBank BH d.d. Sarajevo
186-121-03108095-46
Asa banka d.d. Sarajevo
134-105-11300001-66
Sparkasse Bank BiH d.d.
199-496-00059682-82

Intesa Sanpaolo Banka BiH 154-180-20085330-48
UniCredit Bank 338-730-22202506-52
Raiffeisen Bank 161-000-02481200-94
Bosna Bank International 141-306-53201196-79
NLB Banka 132-260-20223371-17
Recipient: Association “Pomozi.ba”, Dr. Fetaha Bećirbegovića no. 8, 71000 Sarajevo
Purpose: 1,200 kilometres for Anelija

For payments to the Pomozi.ba account in Austria:
ERSTE BANK
IBAN: AT35 2011 1853 5787 3100
BIC: GIBAATWWXXX
Wien, Oestereich
Name: POMOZI.BA - ÖSTERREICH
Reference: 1,200 kilometres for Anelija

For payments from the Netherlands and Western Europe:
ING
SWIFT: INGBNL2A
BAN: NL63INGB0675431905
St. Pomozi.ba (Help Bosnie) NL
Het doel van de betaling: 1,200 kilometres for Anelija

For payments from Turkey:
VAKIF KATILIM BANKASI A.S.
IBAN:TR91 0021 0000 0006 3546 7000 01
İstanbul, Türkiye
Derneğin Adı: Bosna Hersek Yardımlaşma Derneği
Açıklama: 1,200 kilometres for Anelija

Intesa Sanpaolo Banka BiH 154-180-20085330-48
UniCredit Bank 338-730-22202506-52
Raiffeisen Bank 161-000-02481200-94
Bosna Bank International 141-306-53201196-79
NLB Banka 132-260-20223371-17

For users of BBI, Union and Asa banks, donations are also possible via the KVIKO application, with the mandatory indication of the purpose of the payment. For clients of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, donations are possible via the m-Intesa mobile application, either one-time or with each payment order. Users of Sparkasse Bank can make payments directly and without fee via the “Donate” function in the SIMPL application, stating the purpose of the payment.