A group that has been doing sports together in Akbük since last October, provided food aid to 2 families with the money they collected.

They get together 3 days a week at Liberte Bar and do sports under the direction of married couple Nicola and Eddie Orr. The group came up with a humorous name for themselves by referring to the name of the place where they were gathered: Taking Liberte.

The purpose of the group, which was formed by the decision of Eddie Orr and his circle of friends, is to socialize, meet new people, and do sports together.

Eddie, therefore, did not ask for money for gym classes, but the participants decided that it would be better for everyone if they saved money to donate to someone.

Thus, the purpose of the group, which came together for sports, turned into a goodness movement.

Taking Liberte is a multinational group of people aged between 50 and 72; a team of 7-8 people in the summer, and 15 in the winter.

Nicola says the venue where they play sports is spacious and their doors are open to everyone of all races and ages.

Eddie explains his purpose in bringing this team together as “getting people together, of all ages and fitness levels; Forming friendships and interacting with locals as well as other expats and getting fitter”.

The general opinion of the group members is that getting together is more meaningful than doing sports alone. Mick Zakeri, who has been doing sports with the group since the beginning, said, “I walk along the Akbuk coast every day, I also do sports separately from the group, but getting together here gives me more motivation. The friendship here is very valuable.” said.

Lin Channon, a yoga instructor who helped the group, especially with stretching, said that sports alone are already very healthy, but as expats living in Akbuk, coming together here is also important in terms of being involved in life.

Channon said: “You have a reason to get up early and come here. We come here and exercise and then we sit together, chat and motivate each other.” said.

Mandy and Steve Shaw, who have been playing sports with the team since the beginning, stated that they found the friendship within the group valuable and that the idea of ​​being able to touch the lives of those in need is very valuable.

“It’s very motivating to get together at a bar by the sea and do sports in the morning,” Nicola said. “The owner of Liberte, Özgür kindly provided space, which is fantastic” said.

Taking Liberte entrusted the money they collected to the business owner Özgür Bey and aimed to help the families he found. “He knows the local people very well. He knows who needs help and it’s easy to contact them. That’s why we aim to reach families, students, and other needy people he finds,” they said.

Ozgur, the owner of the business, said, “When they said they wanted to do such an activity, I wanted to help, especially when there was a humanitarian cause behind it. I would like to thank them for their efforts for this good cause” said.

Taking Liberte delivered food parcels to two families in need. Nicola said that the families are very happy and it is very nice to see them happy.

Other group members include Sharman and Harry Brittain; Cliff Miller; Jay Hendricks; Sheila and John Davies; Don and Rob Herbert; Maureen Herbert.