On the occasion of the Vendée Globe 2024, the start of which will be given on Sunday November 10 in Les Sables-d’Olonne, the “1 click = 1 heart” operation is heading back to sea.
The project, launched in 2012 and led since 2017 by skipper Sam Davies, has saved the lives of 394 children suffering from heart defects.
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Vendée Globe, the incredible human adventure
It is the face of hope. That of a little girl, who had heart surgery in 2021, who is now enjoying life to the fullest. Sunday November 10, at 1:02 p.m., the portrait of Naylah, painted on the Initiatives-Cœur mainsail by the painter-navigator Titouan Lamazou, first winner of the Vendée Globe in 1990, will take to the wind off the coast of Les Sables-d’Olonne for the start of the anniversary edition of the solo sailing race, non-stop and without assistance.
Aboard this ultra-competitive new Imoca, built in the mold of the old L’Occitane en Provence, Samantha Davies will be able to fight “on equal terms” on the seas and oceans of the globe. With all sails inflated, the red and white monohull will also raise awareness among the general public of the admirable work of the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque association. (new window).
In the world, “nearly one in 100 children are born with a serious heart defect”. The humanitarian NGO, founded in 1996 by Prof. Francine Leca, the first cardiac surgeon in France, and Patrice Royenette, takes care of and operates on French soil on children with heart problems to save them, when this cannot be done. in their country of origin, due to lack of technical or financial means.
Wishing to carry this message full of solidarity and humanity, Tanguy de Lamotte, supported by its first partner, the company Initiatives, put this great cause at the heart of its sporting project from 2012 to 2017.
Reach 500 children saved
“They were looking for something to raise funds. They wanted to get the public to react, without asking them to give money”tells TF1info Samantha Davies, who took over from the naval architect at the helm of the adventure. It is for this purpose that the “1 click = 1 heart” collection operation was launched. The principle is simple: for each new Facebook fan (new window) or new Instagram follower (new window) and TikTok (new window) on the pages of Initiatives-Cœur, the sponsors-patrons of the boat donate one euro to the humanitarian association.
In more than a decade, the company has changed in size with the integration of new partners, Les Chocolats du coeur, K-Line and Vinci Énergies. On the eve of the start, the Initiatives-Cœur networks have more than 800,000 subscribers. In turn, this helped save 394 lives, knowing that each operation costs 12,000 euros on average. The stated objective is to reach 500 children saved by the end of the next “Everest of the seas”.
There’s a real reason why I’m doing this race
Samantha Davies, Initiatives-Cœur skipper
“I am extremely proud to be skipper of the boat and to take the helm to defend this magnificent cause”rejoices the one who is also the mother of a little boy. At the helm of her sailboat, Samantha Davies feels entrusted with a mission. “Every time I look up, I see this child who is the symbol of the association’s fight. It motivates me more than ever and it helps me get through the most difficult days. It’s great to have a project that combines sport and humanitarianism There is a real reason why I am doing this race. I think we can be successful and defend a cause, at the same time, if we are motivated. racing, they didn’t decide to be sick. I’m doing this for them too.”
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Take part in the “1 click = 1 heart” operation on the Initiatives-Cœur Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages. For each new follower, the sponsors donate one euro to Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque.
