Bára Basiková and The Tap Tap beneficiary concert earned over 330 thousands for mine orphans

KARVINÁ (September 6th, 2011) – OKD Foundation Beneficiary Concert, with the show of handicapped musicians The Tap Tap band, and Bára Basiková as the biggest star, earned an astounding 338,926 crowns for the St. Barbara Civic Association, which cares for mine orphans. "It was the first official benefit in the OKD, so we definitely did not expect such as amount," said Jiří Suchánek, director of the OKD Foundation, which together with mining company permanently helps to children from St. Barbara's.

Two-hour program was full of fun, but also emotion. That's when a miners´ widows accepted symbolic check from OKD. "It's unbelievable that you are helping us this way. You could give us only statutory damages, but you are taking care of our children up to adulthood. We feel here as members of a large family with you," Marta Szamaránská summed up the feelings of mothers which miners help through its Foundation and the Civic Association of Saint Barbara.

Handicapped musicians from The Tap Tap band earned sincere applause, when donated earnings from the sale of their CD´s and promotional items – equal to seven thousand crowns to Barborka. Contributions in little money box from concert guests, which exceeded a hundred thousand, significantly increased their suppliers – OKD company, Bucyrus Czech Republic from the Caterpillar group and CFT GmbH – which contributed to the association more than 167 000 crowns.

"We use the money for direct help to children and young people. Barborka contributes them especially for education; from financing of tuition, teaching materials or accommodation at the dormitory, to reimbursement a driving school or a language course abroad. We try to prepare them for independent life, "said Vladislav Sobol, Association Chairman.

"OKD made sure that activity of the association and help to children will be financially secured just like before, in 2010. We have also invested even more resources and efforts in safety with the goal of reducing the amount of children, St. Barbara is taking care of," said Klaus-Dieter Beck, CEO, OKD

Vladislav Sobol

OKD Foundation spokesman

telefon:            596 262 293
mobil:              725 595 417
e-mail:             vladislav.sobol@okd.cz