News Release

February 2011

RUNNING AND BUSINESS GO HAND IN GLOVE AT SILVERSTONE

Two sporting fashion executives from Maidenhead are swapping designer hats, gloves and scarves for trainers and tracksuits as they gear up to go all out in the Adidas Silverstone half marathon on 6th March to raise money for children’s charity, Feed The Children (UK).

Lidia Festa (43), who owns Italia Accessories, which represents Italian factories who manufacture luxury leather gloves, fabric hats and woven scarves for UK designer companies, will be joined by her colleague 26 year old Ceris O’Neill. Both ladies love sport and want to do their bit to help so are asking friends and family to sponsor them. “Feed The Children is very close to my heart, ever since I heard a talk at Waltham St Lawrence Parish Church about 6 years ago.

They divided the children (including my own two children) into African and western children showing the differences between the foods available to both in a typical week. When our children talked about favourite foods and a typical favourite Sunday lunch compared to the African diet of nothing but rice, I couldn't help crying my eyes out,” admits Lidia. “I couldn't stop thinking about what it would possibly be like to not be able to feed my children on a daily basis or to have to feed them such a poor diet of nothing but rice and water.”

As a result, Lidia is passionate about helping Feed The Children because she wants to do what she can to help poor families in Africa who have such a hard time every day.

Lidia started Italia Accessories 15 years ago and supplies companies such as John Lewis, Jigsaw, Kew and Pringle. She also has her own label, Gala Gloves, stocked in well know stores such as Fortnum and Mason in London as well as the Arnotts and Brown Thomas department stores in Ireland.