by InTrieste
interviews: Elisa Lodi, Trieste Councilor for Real Estate; Gabriele Cont, President, Fondazione Burlo Garofolo
A charity football event held at Trieste’s Stadio Nereo Rocco raised more than €34,000 for the city’s maternal and children’s hospital, organizers announced during a presentation at City Hall on Monday.
The third edition of “Un Gol per i Bambini del Burlo” generated €34,175, marking another year of growth for the community initiative, which combines amateur sport, local businesses and fundraising in support of the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo.
The proceeds were formally presented to the Fondazione Burlo Garofolo during a ceremony attended by Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, Finance Councillor Everest Bertoli and Sports Councilor Elisa Lodi, along with representatives of the foundation, organizers and local officials.
The event, held on June 13 and 14, was organized by the Friends of the Four Buffet restaurants — Iera Ora, Terzo Tempo, L’Approdo and Al Ciketo — together with the amateur football club A.S.D. Roianese and co-organized by the Municipality of Trieste.
Over two days, the stadium hosted youth football matches, exhibition games featuring former players and community festivities, bringing together families, volunteers and local businesses to raise funds for pediatric healthcare.
City officials praised the initiative as an example of collaboration between public institutions, private businesses and civic organizations. Mayor Dipiazza highlighted the longstanding relationship between the city and the Burlo Garofolo hospital, describing the strong public response as a reflection of Trieste’s continued support for the institution.
Sports Councillor Elisa Lodi said the event demonstrated how sport can promote social solidarity while strengthening partnerships between local government and private organizations. Finance Councillor Bertoli noted the steady growth of the fundraiser, which collected about €11,000 in 2024 and €20,000 in 2025 before reaching this year’s record total.
According to Gabriele Cont, the original goal had been to match last year’s fundraising total to finance the purchase of a new dual surgical operating lamp for the hospital’s Caesarean section operating room. Exceeding that target, he said, will allow the foundation to further improve medical technology for mothers and newborns.
Organizers said the initiative began as a small gathering among friends with the aim of supporting the hospital but has since evolved into one of the city’s growing charitable sporting events. Alessandro Linussi confirmed plans to stage a fourth edition next year.
Representing A.S.D. Roianese, Vice President Marco Cozzutto said the association hopes to expand participation while preserving the event’s community spirit and opening future editions to an even broader network of local organizations.
