It’s a little after 1:30 PM when Santa’s elves, from Harley du Cลur, and their friends from Toques Brรปlรฉes empty their sack filled with gifts at the foot of the Christmas tree that proudly stands in the waiting room of the pediatric hemato-oncology department on the first floor of Archet 2 in Nice.
The afternoon schedule is packed! About thirty children and teenagers are eagerly awaiting the visit of this somewhat unconventional Santa Claus, and the bags prepared by the bikers, filled with toys and other surprises, are ready to be distributed.
Pascale Cozzi, the head of the department, comes to fetch the visitors in leather vests, and Alexandre, 15 years old, is the first to receive a visit. Alexandre is delighted when Christian hands him his gifts, and his mother looks on with affection as he unwraps the packages. A little further away, it’s 12-year-old Emi’s turn to be visited by Jean-Claude, her eyes shining with surprise and impatience.
Among other things, in the overflowing bag, there is a board game she loves. Eliane, meanwhile, goes to see Elisa, 3 years old, and Eva, 6 years old. Their mothers are with them, and it’s such a surprise to see the bikers approaching that the dolls, baby toys, and puzzles in the gift bags almost go unnoticed, and it’s ultimately the play tea set that wins everyone’s hearts!
What smiles and joy are seen in the eyes of these children, and tenderness in those of their parents who express gratitude to those who came today to show them such kindness and support them in the battle they face daily alongside their children, just days before Christmas.
Pascale Cozzi confides that we cannot imagine how important these generous gestures, and the involvement of these big-hearted bikers, all volunteers, are for the children, their parents, and even the medical staff, as each feels concerned by the illness.
Claude Abejan, the President and founder of Harley du Cลur, can be proud of his bikers! With 45 charity events conducted in 2016, and hundreds of laughs and smiles on the faces of those he affectionately calls his “little protรฉgรฉs,” he promises that 2017 will be just as filled and always focused on those whom life has made vulnerable.
by Angรฉlique Alasta
