Antenna Group chairman Theodoros Kyriakou hosted a dinner on Monday in honor of major donors to the ANT1 Children’s Telethon, recognizing their contributions to one of Greece’s most significant social solidarity initiatives. The guest of honor was Sir Tony Blair, former UK prime minister, chairman of the Institute for Global Change and senior adviser to Antenna Group.
An evening dedicated to donors
The event honored those who contributed to the success of the telethon, held on Dec. 22, 2025, which raised 3.33 million euros. Businesses, organizations, public institutions and individuals joined forces to support thousands of children with serious health conditions and increased care and protection needs.
The dinner was attended by Greek Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis and Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis. Also present were ministers Nikos Dendias, Stavros Papastavrou, Takis Theodorikakos, Olga Kefalogianni, Thanos Plevris, Christos Dimas and Domna Michailidou, as well as Deputy Ministers Giorgos Mylonakis and Pavlos Marinakis.
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Honored guests included prominent business figures Fokion Karavias, Michalis Kouveliotis, Giannis Koustas, Kikos Martinos, Christos Megalou, Vasilis Bitharas, Giorgos Moundreas, Pavlos Mylonas, Kostas Nebis, Rodolfos Odoni, Giorgos Peristeris, Giorgos Prokopiou, Ioannis Sarakakis, Andreas Siamisis, Giorgos Stassis, Orestis Tsakalotos, Angeliki Frangou, Vasilis Psaltis and Paul Coulson.
Messages from officials
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivered a recorded video message, where he noted that “It is not only the 3.3 million euros that were raised. It is also the overall effort the station has made to always be at the forefront when it comes to issues that concern society as a whole,” expressing the hope that the next telethon would raise even more money.
Kaklamanis spoke about Parliament’s participation, which included a substantial donation. Half of the amount went to Floga, a Greece-based association supporting children with cancer, to help equip the space where a new radiotherapy machine for children with cancer was installed. The remainder went to the pediatric clinic at the Kefalonia Hospital to purchase modern incubators and small beds for young patients. “This is the unseen side of Parliament,” he said.
Hatzidakis said he wanted to offer “three cheers”, namely, to ANT1 and Kyriakou for launching the initiative, to the donors, and to the associations and charitable organizations. “It is the government’s responsibility to be present in this field,” he added.
Sir Tony Blair described Kyriakou as “a true visionary” and emphasized that Antenna Group had reached new levels of international growth under his leadership. The telethon, he said, was “tangible proof” of the responsibility a major organization has to contribute to society.
Kyriakou’s remarks
Kyriakou said he was proud of the Antenna team and deeply grateful to everyone who had contributed to the initiative’s success. He emphasized that the relationship of trust with the public enables the group to mobilize society and the business community to help those in need.
“Our job is to provide accurate and reliable news and the best possible entertainment every day, in Greece and in all the countries where we operate,” he said. “Through this lasting relationship of trust with the public, we can mobilize society and the business community to provide meaningful assistance to those who need it. The telethon has demonstrated the strength of this relationship and of collective giving.”
“I would like to extend my warm thanks to all the donors who stood by us. ANT1 will never stop taking initiatives that support our fellow human beings and make a real difference in their lives,” he said.
Antenna executives and presenters who contributed to the telethon’s success also attended the event. The evening was hosted by journalist and news presenter Nikos Hatzinikolaou, while the telethon’s main presenter, Grigoris Arnaoutoglou, was also present.
Other attendees included local television presenters and journalists Fotini Georgiou, Sia Kossioni, Petros Kousoulos, Zeta Makrypoulia, Ritsa Bizoglou, Akis Pavlopoulos, Maria Sarafoglou, Faye Skorda, Spyros Soulis and Vasilis Chiotis.
The telethon’s proceeds support initiatives for children’s health, care and protection across Greece. These include upgrading SOS Children’s Villages facilities in Thessaloniki, Alexandroupoli and Vari; granting more than 65 wishes through Make-A-Wish Greece; covering the operating expenses of Floga’s four residential homes; supplying medical equipment to the P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital and, through DESMOS, to the pediatric departments in Larissa, Patras and Kefalonia; and strengthening the nationwide Network of Child Safety Units and the mobile rapid-intervention team run by ELIZA, an organization dedicated to preventing and addressing child abuse.