Chinese charity donates ambulance to Italian Red Cross

A Chinese-owned charitable foundation in Italy has donated a brand new ambulance to the local Red Cross in a move aimed at forging closer ties between Chinese immigrants and Italian society.

It was the first time a private Chinese charity had given an ambulance to the Red Cross in Italy.

"This is our small, yet first, gesture to pay back to the Italian society for its help and generosity toward Chinese immigrants over the years," said Zhou Xiaoyan, president of the Maggie Foundation, which she and two friends set up in Milan in 2021 in memory of Maggie He, an aspiring 19-year-old golfer whose life was cut short by cancer in 2020.

During a ceremony at the royal palace, near Milan's landmark Duomo on Wednesday, the Red Cross took delivery of the ambulance.

Paolo Bosso, vice-president of the Red Cross of Milan, said at the event he was thrilled to add a fully-equipped new vehicle to the fleet of ambulances serving the city.

"We highly appreciate the honorable gesture by the Maggie Foundation," he said. "It goes a long way in helping the society and in commemorating the life of a remarkable young woman."

Before her premature death, Maggie He had pursued her dream of becoming a world champion golfer and had won some junior championships in the United States, the United Kingdom, and mainland Europe.

He Bin, Maggie He's father, said at the event he had found solace in the fact that his daughter's name is now linked to a vehicle designed to save the lives of many people.

Francesco Burdo, a member of the crew of the new ambulance, said he and his colleagues will treasure the opportunity to drive the vehicle.

"We are going to be very proud," he said.