24 Hours of Le Mans : A record 21 children saved!
This year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans celebrated its centenary. As the official association, we wanted to mark the occasion with a symbolic fundraising goal: to save 24 children from heart disease! Although we didn't reach our target, we're delighted to have been able to finance operations for 21 children at the end of the event... a record!
During the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we invited Alseny and Pierre, his foster father, to experience the race from the sidelines. The 9-year-old boy from Guinea recently underwent heart surgery at our Bordeaux branch. With his heart repaired and his energy restored, he was able to take full advantage of this extraordinary experience. The cars, the circuit, the paddocks, the speed... everything was awe-inspiring for Alseny, whose eyes were filled with stars.
It was for children like Alseny, who cannot be operated on in their own countries, that we raised money during the event. Always persevering and determined, our team set up various fund-raising operations under the "24H for Kids" concept, which relies on the generosity of the public and partners.
24H for Kids with partners
We asked our partners at the 24 Heures du Mans to offer their guests a pin symbolizing a heartbeat. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest, MMA, TotalEnergies, RM Sotheby's and many others joined the movement and financed the operations of several children with heart attacks.
24H for Kids on our solidarity page
We were lucky enough to be present on the circuit with a sales and entertainment stand, the structure and design of which were donated by our partners I-Event and Graphi Concepts. On site, our super team of volunteers offered the public the chance to make a donation, symbolized by a "Stick'Cœur", to be stuck on a LIGIER JS P3. The car, which was white on the first day, ended up entirely covered in red hearts by the end of the race! Mission accomplished!
24H for Kids with Carrefour stores in the Mancelle and Centre regions
For over 10 years, Carrefour stores in the Mancelle and Centre regions have been supporting children with heart problems. This year, over 50,000 tote bags in the colors of the anniversary edition were on sale for €2.5 in 22 stores. Thanks to the mobilization of the teams who relayed the operation to customers, the sale of shopping bags will enable us to save the lives of 8 children with heart attacks.
24H for Kids with solidarity sales in official A.C.O. boutiques
A collector's cap bearing the Le Mans 24 Hours logo was specially created to be sold in aid of children with heart problems. Of the €25 sale price, 40% was donated to the Association and will enable 2 children to be operated on!
24H for Kids on television
TV visibility and appeals for donations were made live several times during the race, thanks to Fondaction L'Équipe on the channel and daily newspaper of the same name.
24H for kids with the general public
Anyone wishing to help us save children, but unable to attend the event, could make a donation on webdon.fr
24H for kids with Panis Racing
Since its creation, the team has worn the colors of Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The "Team du Cœur" promotes the cause by displaying its logo on the car, or by parading with a banner in the Association's colors during the drivers' parade.
21 thanks to all those who contributed to this great success!
Thanks to you, the 21 children we will soon be able to operate on will get their second wind.
Photos: ©Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque / ©TotalEnergie / ©MMA / ©Jordan Dupuy / ©Nicolas Tesson
