For the first year, the Secours populaire organized a Solidarity Challenge at the castle. Young and old participated in the football tournament and other activities.
The Solidarity Challenge was organized by three volunteers from the Secours populaire over a period of 5 months. However, about thirty volunteers managed the day. This challenge is not for profit. It is simply about raising public awareness of solidarity actions and the values of sport.
On the occasion of the European Year of Volunteering, the Secours populaire invited many associations. Present were: Amnesty International, Harley du cœur, Unicef, Handi loisirs, Autism France, Doctors of the World, the League Against Cancer, and Touche pas à mon pote.
Many companies from Nice also agreed to sponsor the event. Unfortunately, one downside: “It’s a shame that it’s raining, there aren’t many people because of the weather. We couldn’t hold a basketball tournament but only a few games,” explains Elodie, a Secours populaire volunteer.
Activities galore
In the morning, basketball games are played. A discovery of wheeled sledding attracts many children who struggle to control the device.
Meanwhile, a little further away, a pétanque tournament is taking place, with trophies waiting for their owners nearby. Children are getting their faces painted to resemble tigers or princesses. A group dressed in all orange moves around animating the paths with batucada (a type of Brazilian percussion music).
Meanwhile, adults flock to a stand offering massages. On the tatami mats, children dressed in sumo costumes push each other.
While a volunteer comments on the fight and the parents’ camera flashes punctuate the duel. That’s when the starting signal for the treasure hunt is given, and parents entrust their children to the educators.
The end of the day is approaching, but there’s still the prize-giving ceremony and the closing concert by the Wild Note. A well-run day despite such weather.
