On 6 August 2005, the Sata Foundation inaugurated the 1st Run for Peace cycling rally in Burgundy, France, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan on 6 and 9 August 1945, respectively, and to promote the Sata Foundation's humanitarian mission. It happily coincided with the official return of the head of the Madonna of the Urakami Church in Nagasaki, to that Church in a nationally televised ceremony.

At the 1st Rally, Mr. Bernard Hinault, five-time winner of the Tour de France, and Mr. Andrea van Agt, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, played a substantial role to make it a great success. Participants and their supporters learned for the first time the story of the Madonna of Nagasaki, especially the story of the destruction of her figurine by the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, as well as her rise from the ashes to become a symbol for world peace and the main inspiration behind the Sata Foundation. No more abuse of science to further the cause of war!; No more folly to make war in total disregard of civilian sufferings!, were the sentiments commonly shared by those present at the Rally. They therefore joined more than 20,000 individuals from various continents in agreeing that this statue of the Madonna deserves international recognition as a symbol for world peace.

Encouraged by the success of the 1st Rally, the 2nd Rally was organized on 5 August 2006. Some 500 cyclists competed in what has now become an important annual event in Burgundy. Cycling is France's most famous national sport, immortalized by the Tour de France. It is heartening that the citizens of France now also cycle with passion to raise public awareness about the need to be humanistic and to join hands in making this world a peaceful place to live for the present and future generations. Fund was raised by the Rally and after-rally charity dinner. A substantial amount of the fund raised at the said events was donated to a charitable association with the mission of constructing a hospitality house for relatives of intensive care patients of the General Hospital of Saint Brieuc in Brittany, France. The remaining amount raised went to the Sata Foundation's account to support the Foundation's mission—including its humanitarian projects to provide healthcare for people in developing countries and for victims of armed conflicts, and to promote international rules of law.

The 3rd Rally on 4 August 2007 continues what is now an established, traditional event, which grows from strength to strength in terms of the number of participants and the support received, with proceeds from the Rally going to charities whose work falls within the Sata Foundation's mission. There will definitely be the 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. Rally for years to come.

Please join us in keeping the spirit of the Rally alive!

Please make your donations to:-
Sata Foundation: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Head Office, Tokyo, Japan, Account No. 200-9481436. You can also make donations by credit card.
Receipts will be provided on request.