“To Save a Child”: The vision of the late Alexandros Nikolaidis continues

Strong support for 12 NGOs and charitable initiatives

Navarino Challenge returned on 9–11 May, offering a unique experience of sports, wellness and gastronomy. In its 13th edition, the multi-awarded sports event brought together thousands of participants from around the world across more than 70 activities, held at Costa Navarino, at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and W Costa Navarino, and in the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor, turning the event into a celebration of body and mind.

Looking ahead to 2026, Navarino Challenge returns renewed as Messinia Challenge, ushering in a new era for Greece’s leading sports tourism and wellness event. Just as Navarino Challenge evolves into Messinia Challenge with the global message “Sports Unites,” so too does Greece’s largest online auction, “Sharing is Caring,” acquire a new identity and name, becoming “To Save a Child.”

The initiative continues to honor the memory of the late Alexandros Nikolaidis, the two-time Olympic silver medalist in taekwondo who inspired the creation of the project. At the same time, it continues the path he opened with his final words and his example: offering his personal belongings to support those in need and to serve the common good—“to save even one child.”

With respect for his legacy and with the responsibility of continuing such an important mission, the initiative expands further, broadening its scope, significance and social impact.

Support for 12 Non-Profit Organizations

The charitable initiative “To Save a Child” returns this year from 28 November to 20 December, presenting more than 38 unique items from top athletes and personalities, with the aim of supporting people who truly need help.

This year’s campaign will support the following 12 NGOs and corresponding charitable initiatives:

• The Heroes of BPAN, created to support children in Greece living with the rare disease Beta-Propeller protein-Associated Neurodegeneration, aiming to raise awareness and promote research toward the development of effective treatments.
• Choose Life, which strives to bring color back to the lives of those suffering from blood-related diseases and focuses on expanding the bone marrow donor registry, funding research, and supporting patients and their families.
• DIAFOROZO, the sports club for people with disabilities from Kalamata, supporting active athletes who are part of the Paralympic movement and the National Sports Federation for Persons with Disabilities.
• HOPEgenesis, working to combat low birth rates, support families and find solutions to Greece’s demographic challenges, providing comprehensive medical care to women from pregnancy through childbirth.
• Humanity Greece, supporting vulnerable citizens, families and young children living at risk of poverty.
• Karkinaki, advocating for open dialogue around childhood and adolescent cancer and ensuring that every child has access to high-quality care, effective treatment and, ultimately, the right to life.
• Library4All, aiming to ensure that every school has an accessible, up-to-date library with stocked shelves, a librarian and an annual book budget—a library for everyone.
• Doctors Without Borders, providing medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.
• The Love Van, supporting underprivileged families with essential goods, organizing forest-cleaning actions, providing financial assistance through campaigns and feeding 200 homeless people in Athens weekly.
• Virtus Center for Medical Research, enabling patients with rare cancers to receive accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations from a specialized European center at no cost.
• Children’s Hearts, the Northern Greece association supporting children, adolescents and adults with congenital or acquired heart conditions.
• Together For Autism, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families through educational, social and psychosocial programs, promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion.

Win unique items that are part of history

In “To Save a Child,” everyone can contribute and support the nonprofit organizations, as many items start at very low suggested prices.

Enter here and support the initiative:
https://www.navarinochallenge.com/auctions

Find more information about the charity project:
https://www.navarinochallenge.com/event-2025/to-save-a-child/

In the online auctions of “To Save a Child” you will find memorabilia signed by global sports stars.

Acquire certified signed items from top football players:

Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Luka Modri?, Karim Benzema, Wayne Rooney, Fabio Cannavaro, Darwin N??ez, Alejandro Garnacho.

From leading NBA athletes:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Penny Hardaway, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Brandon Ingram, Vince Carter, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, Zion Williamson, Tyler Herro, Coby White, and from European basketball: Fanis Christodoulou, Nikos Zisis, Evina Maltsi, Joe Arlauckas.

From top athletes across all sports, such as Peyton Manning, Justin Herbert and Niko Koutouvides from the NFL, as well as Nasos Gavelas, two-time Paralympic gold medalist in the 100m (T11 category).

The Opportunity to Own Something Unique

The “Sports Memorabilia Partner” of the initiative is Trace ‘n Chase, Europe’s leading company for collectible cards and memorabilia, offering a vast range of sports items always accompanied by signature authentication from internationally renowned grading houses.

Unique Items – Be the First to Own Them

Golf collectors will appreciate the 1st Masters Win Picture signed by Gary Player, a rare piece of golf history, as well as the signed 2012 Masters Pin Flag. You can also win a YAMAHA NEO’s Dual Battery Scooter with extended autonomy for long urban commutes and the innovative Skwal i3 motorcycle helmet by Shark for enhanced safety, offered by MOTODYNAMIKI Group and YAMAHA. SIXT offers a premium driving experience with a four-day voucher for a Premium SUV—an exceptional opportunity for safe, comfortable travel to the destination of your choice.

For the home, premium appliances stand out, such as the Miele dryer, known for German quality, technological excellence and long-term durability. You can also enjoy select bottles from Bacardi Group, a global leader in premium spirits with more than 160 years of history—ideal for collectors and lovers of fine drinks.

The list of items will continue to grow until the end of the auctions, offering ongoing new opportunities to all participants.

Silent Auction Process

By visiting the specially designed Silent Auctions website, participants can initially submit their proposed offer for any item via email, without requiring immediate payment. Throughout the process, both user identities and bid amounts remain completely anonymous. At the close of the auction, all emails will be opened and reviewed, and the highest bidder for each item will be declared the winner.

Winners will be announced through the event’s social media channels and will receive personal instructions regarding payment. Payments will be made directly to the corresponding charities—with few exceptions—and without any intermediaries. Each winner will have a specific timeframe to complete the payment. Once payment is confirmed by the organization, the winner will receive information on how to collect the item.

If the highest bidder fails to pay within the allotted time, the item will be offered to the next highest bidder. The total amount collected will be distributed equally among the 12 nonprofit organizations, and all gifts will be delivered to the winners in January.

Supporting NGOs through Charity Idols

During the Easter period, through the collaboration with Charity Idols, significant funds were raised and donated directly to the NGOs. The total amount exceeded €5,000, demonstrating the power of collective contribution. This effort continues, giving everyone the opportunity to participate and support social and charitable causes and bring real change.

Miele actively supports Humanity Greece

In a special evening filled with smiles and solidarity, Humanity Greece opened the doors of its Volunteer Coordination Center on Monday, 29 September, welcoming friends, volunteers and supporters to inaugurate its new social kitchen under the “A Kitchen for Good” initiative. The event was honored by major donors, such as Miele, which offered premium household appliances, adding a special touch of quality to this memorable night, in collaboration with ActiveMedia Group. With Miele’s support, Humanity Greece renovated the social kitchen, enhancing its ability to meet essential needs and provide fresh meals to the homeless of Attica.

The Auction Partners supporting the event and offering valuable items are: Miele, MOTODYNAMIKI Group, YAMAHA, Trace ‘n Chase, SIXT and Bacardi.

The charitable initiative of Sharing Is Caring is supported through content production and social media management by the Mind The Ad team.

The Silent Auctions for Messinia Challenge are organized by Active Media Group.