Μake us preferred on Google The alleged exploitation of families with seriously ill children by the Thessaloniki-based NGO Paidiki Chara has taken a particularly troubling dimension in the case of two-year-old Maritina, whose family says donations intended to finance her critical medical treatment were jeopardized after the organization allegedly blocked her mother’s fundraising account.
The girl’s mother had opened a personal fundraising account so that donations could reach the family directly. Nevertheless, according to the family’s lawyer, Alexis Athanasopoulos, a relative of the accused allegedly deposited 100 euros into the account and subsequently reported it to the bank, questioning the legitimacy of the fundraiser and whether the child genuinely needed financial assistance. The bank initially froze the account.
The lawyer alleges that the move was intended to channel donations through the NGO’s own accounts, giving its members control over the funds.
The family, which says it was unaware of the alleged involvement of the organization’s representatives, plans to join the criminal proceedings in Thessaloniki next week. It has not yet established how much money, if any, was collected through the NGO specifically for Maritina.
In a public statement, the girl’s mother expressed shock at the alleged exploitation of parents struggling to secure treatment for their children, saying she could not understand how anyone could take advantage of their suffering and desperation.
The case forms part of a wider investigation into Paidiki Chara, which allegedly collected millions of euros through fundraising campaigns for children with serious illnesses while diverting substantial sums for personal use. Investigators have examined hundreds of thousands of financial transactions and numerous fundraising appeals, with only a fraction of the money reportedly reaching the intended beneficiaries.
The NGO’s 37-year-old founder, Konstantinos Firinidis, and his 35-year-old former partner have been remanded in custody.
During his questioning, Firinidis attributed his actions to a gambling addiction. His companion denied responsibility for the alleged embezzlement, saying she had bought only one luxury handbag with money from the NGO.
