The vigorous solidarity of Alès to continue to support the Telethon

In front of the Christmas market, dance clubs performed demonstrations in support of the cause. Midi Libre – Paul Barraud

This Saturday, December 7, many events are organized in all four corners of Alès, to continue to support the Telethon.

“So, you know why you gave a coin ?”, asks Ferad Namar, the head of the Maison de la Jeunesse d’Alès, to a group of young people this Saturday, December 7. The four teenagers, who have come to compete in a famous football game, stop and shake their heads. “The Téléthon, you know what it is?” One of the players nods: “The triathlon? Yes, it's a race with lots of sports!“. Ferad smiles. “There is still work to be done”, he tells us.

At the Maison de la jeunesse, video games are combined with solidarity. Midi Libre – LUCAS MASSOT

The 2024 Telethon was held at the end of November, but that did not prevent the Cévennes capital from seeing many initiatives again this weekend. The Youth House invites young and old to come and compete, for €1 entry, in video game tournaments. “And we take the opportunity to explain the initiative to them, and what the money raised will be used for.”

The Saint Jean-Baptiste association has gone to climb up to the Hermitage. Midi Libre – LUCAS MASSOT

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“Help to understand”

On the other side of the Rochebelle bridge, in front of the church, a big climb is being prepared. The Saint-Jean-Baptiste association, represented by Françoise Gebelin, is planning a hike up to the Hermitage. “It's the first time”, begins a participant… “A long history!”, adds Hélène Cayrier, a municipal councilor who has come to lend a hand. Françoise sets the tone in a short speech: “Sometimes life is beautiful. Sometimes life is hard. But we all have the power to help and understand”. The goal is to climb up to the Hermitage and, for those who wish, to donate to an urn to collect donations for the Telethon. “We force no one, everything is free.”

The Alésien cycling club has completed the 62 km race challenge in the Cévennes from the Place des Martyrs. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

A little further down, at Place des Martyrs-de-la-Résistance, 35 cyclists, at the initiative of the Alès cycling club, took to the road for a 60 km solidarity tour, starting from Alès to Rochegude via Saint-Victor-de-Malcap. “But with this weather, and the rain that fell late in the morning, we probably lost 20 cyclists who could have come”, estimates, a little disappointed, the club president Éric Olewski. But “we are here, that's the most important thing”, even if the club will only give a few hundred euros to the Telethon.

A spirit of solidarity that unites, as every year, all the actions of local associations to support research and sick children. Like the dance clubs that came to present country and Sevillian dances on the forecourt of the Cratère.