Alessandro Bellantoni is a taxi driver originally from Vibo Valentia who resides in Rome. For fifteen years he has dedicated himself with commitment to his profession, very intense in the traffic of the capital. During the emergency Coronavirus, with its taxi cooperative, has worked on the front line to support people in need. And he was elected (by his colleagues and not only) a champion of solidarity when on April 28 he offered to transport an unfortunate three-year-old Calabrian girl from Vibo Valentia - his hometown - to Rome in need of an oncological visit to the Bambin Gesù Hospital.
A gesture that not only earned him a nickname, but also, after a month and to his great surprise and satisfaction, the title of Knight of Merit of the Republic. Award conferred on him on the day of the Republic Day directly by Sergio Mattarella who wanted to reward Alessandro precisely for his distinguished service to the community during the Covid-19 emergency. "I knew there was a little girl who needed to have Baby Jesus checked - says the taxi driver - and the visit was very important because the little girl, who is now three years old, had to undergo chemotherapy cycles in the past. I know the family who, like me, also have another child with a disability. I know that, right now, that couple is going through a difficult time and so I offered to help. "
To fulfill his love rush Alessandro has traveled about 1300 kilometers between there and back. A record. In the past - Bellantoni recalls - he had faced a journey of 1500 kilometers, it was the period of the eruption of the Icelandic volcano and due to the cancellation of many flights departing from Rome, many passengers requested trips to Nice.. But it was work, and handsomely paid. This time it was a matter of heart, a simple and free heart.
Although moving in those days was risky and forbidden, Alessandro's solidarity trip was successful. "On the outward journey - said - arrived roughly at the height of Cosenza, I stopped to have a coffee. The traffic police officers, rightly intrigued by the taxi, asked me for an explanation. I gave them to them and I must say that they were really kind to the point that they paid for the coffee themselves.. "
About the travel expenses the taxi driver asked absolutely nothing of the girl's family. "I did not want to - specifies - but the girl's family insisted on paying me a full tank of fuel. However, the really important thing is that the visit went well. The little girl is really strong and the control has given the results that her parents were hoping for "
With surprise and a healthy dose of humility, Alessandro yesterday welcomed the investiture by the President of the Republic. Knight of the Republic. Beyond belief. When he tells it he is still excited and tremendously proud. As are we of him, after all.
