The 2024 Telethon returns on November 29 and 30 in Gard, with a multitude of activities. Associations, institutions and citizens will join forces with one objective: to support research and improve the daily lives of children and families.
Exceptionally organized a week earlier than in previous years, due to the inauguration of Notre-Dame, the Telethon is taking place throughout the department. Nîmes, as always, plays a central role with unifying activities. Pascale Loison, coordinator of AFM Sud Gard, insists with emotion on the objective of this mobilization: “Give children a smile. »
In Vauban: the Téléthon village
In Nîmes, for the second year in a row, the Téléthon village will take place on the Vauban site of the University of Nîmes, at the heart of the festivities. Saturday morning, a large solidarity march will leave at 11 a.m. from the corner of Guizot and Général Perrier streets. For three euros, walkers will walk the streets of Nîmes to reach the faculty. On site, a rich and varied program awaits visitors: a 30-meter zip line suspended above the fort's moat, demonstrations of jumping rock and sevillana, inflatable structures, sporting challenges, souvenir photos with the mascots and the Olympic torch, all accompanied by a gourmet offering provided by food trucks. The godmother of this edition, Flora Vautier, bronze medalist in table tennis at the last Paralympic Games, will be present to support the initiative.
Sport and solidarity
Sport will indeed be in the spotlight with the mobilization of USAM, the Nîmes handball club. Described as a “historic partner” by its president, David Tebib, the club will organize special events on the occasion of its match against Cesson-Rennes, scheduled for December 13 at Parnasse. “We are expecting around 3,000 spectators for this important meeting,” underlines the president, emphasizing with conviction the deep link between sport and solidarity.
Throughout the Gard, local actors are mobilizing for this great cause. The CFA Sud Formation Conseil, starting this Tuesday, November 26, is organizing a pancake day, while offering gift wrapping in the Decathlon store on the first two Wednesdays of December.
For their part, Les Jardins d’Arcadie senior residences are participating in the Telethon for the first time. In Nîmes, residents will run a cake and hot chocolate stand on Avenue de la Méditerranée, near the CGR, while the Grau-du-Roi residence will also offer gourmet activities.
Uchaud, ville fare 2024
This year, the village of Uchaud was designated a flagship town for the Telethon in the Gard, a distinction recognizing the exemplary commitment of its inhabitants. With more than 10,000 euros collected last year, the municipality did not apply but emerged as an obvious choice.
A 400 m² medieval village will be recreated by the Merces company, offering sword fights, archery, illumination workshops and coin minting. The common thread will consist of building a fortified castle out of milk bricks. The firefighters will also help to liven up this event with demonstrations and fun activities. “In Uchaud, we may not have the Arènes or the Maison Carrée, but we have a big heart,” proudly declares the mayor, Joffrey Léon, who is planning 50 events throughout the weekend, including 18 concentrated in the medieval village.
With dozens of initiatives across the Gard, the 2024 edition of the Telethon once again illustrates the generosity and commitment of the Gard residents. Organizers hope this momentum will reach a new record, to continue building a better future for children and families affected by rare diseases.
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