Trulli visits earthquake-hit L'Aquila 18 May 2009
Toyota’s Jarno Trulli made an emotional visit to the Abruzzo region in Italy last week as part of his efforts to help those affected by April’s earthquake. Born and raised in Pescara, Trulli is a native of the Abruzzo area, and has been busy over the last month raising money for the victims of the April 6 earthquake, through his ‘Abruzzo nel Cuore' (Abruzzo in the Heart) appeal.
On Wednesday Trulli paid a personal visit to Abruzzo, visiting first the small village of Onna, which lost 39 out of its 250 inhabitants when the 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck. Whilst in the village he met survivors, who are now camping in tents alongside the ruins of their homes. From there he moved on to the city of L'Aquila, where he visited a tented camp for 270 people and handed out Formula One souvenirs, signed autographs and posed for photos with the children.
"I was shocked to see the devastation firsthand; so many buildings have been destroyed and the effect on the people's lives is really terrible,” said Trulli. “I am doing my best to help in any way I can and everyone in Formula One has been very supportive. Hopefully we can raise a lot of money to help with reconstruction so the people of Abruzzo can return to a normal situation soon. They are in our hearts."
The ‘Abruzzo nel Curoe' appeal has already raised more than €23,000 while several items of Formula One memorabilia have been donated by fellow drivers and these will be auctioned to raise further funds.
For more details about the Italian’s appeal visit, click here.
