FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta has announced that funds earned through the Club’s Foundation-run activities over recent weeks to support people affected by the DANA will be used to help restore the municipal sports centres in Benetusser and Cathaland the El Terroir municipal sports ground in Paiporta. The announcement was made during a visit by a blaugrana delegation led by president Laporta, who was accompanied by vice-president Elena Fort, directors Miquel Camps, Josep Ignasi Macià and Sisco Pujol, and the Foundation’s director, Dr Marta Segú. Their visit took in the towns hit by the tragedy that cost 227 lives in October last year.
The visit started at the Benetusser council building, where the blaugrana delegation met with the town’s mayor Eva Sanz, the mayor of CathalLorena Silventand the mayor of PaiportaMaribel Albalat. The three towns are located in ground zero for the DANA floodingand had previously been visited by FC Barcelona Foundation director Marta Segú in December Last Year. The delegation then travelled to different parts of the affected area, which is still some way from returning to normal, with consequences of the weather-induced catastrophe still being experienced.
During the emergency itself, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Dr Segú contacted the mayors of the three towns directly to express their solidarity and to offer direct collaboration and financial support from the Club and the FC Barcelona Foundation.
Charity auction and donations
To this end, FC Barcelona and its Foundation organised a number of activities to show its commitment to those most affected. Firstly, a special fund from the Barça Foundation’s own coffers was provided, and furthermore, more funds were raised via an online charity auction of the kit worn by the men’s first team players in the recent derby against Espanyol and in the game against Valencia on 26 January. The first auction raised around 90,000 euro.
Furthermore and for several weeks now, blaugrana members and fans in general have been able to collaborate by making a donation via the Row 0 Support Fund. Donations can be made via this link. It is also possible to donate via Bizum to 10758.
The aim is to allocate the funds to restoring spaces so that children and young people can get back to playing outside as normal, and so they can regularly and safely play sport in their local area without having to travel to other less affected areas. These activities by the Barça Foundation aim to help them get back to living normally, and as such, provide a positive impact on their mental health, and on their physical and emotional well-being.
The FC Barcelona Foundation has always wanted to act with the highest possible level of professionalism, being aware of the tragedy’s effects on the ground, and not send materials or resources without understanding the true magnitude and impact of the DANA floods. There is also awareness of needs over the medium-term, when the media spotlight is often elsewhere. These needs are also very much in line with the Barça Foundation’s mission – to use sport to help improve well-being and protect children and young people in vulnerable situations.
