Club Nàutic S’Arenal Donates Swimming Event Proceeds to ELA Balears

Club Nàutic S’Arenal (CNA) today, Friday, November 15, handed over the financial proceeds from the registrations of the Sa Milla CNA - Cala Blava swim to representatives of the ELA Balears association. This emblematic open water swimming event celebrated its twenty-first edition last summer as part of the 60th Grand Sailing Day - Bufete Frau.

The president, José Ramón Picó, delivered the check to the president of ELA Balears, Cati Rigo, for a total amount of 5,401.35 euros, contributed thanks to the registrations of half a thousand swimmers participating. “This money will be invested in the two services that are currently in highest demand: the respiratory physiotherapy sessions we do at home, which currently benefit about 40 people in the Balearic Islands, and a service of emotional and psychological support for family members and caregivers of people with ALS,” explains Rigo.

“For the club, it is a pride to be able to collaborate with this association and help patients of this disease and their families gain quality of life,” stated José Ramón Picó, president of the CNA. “It is an honor to integrate this test within the Grand Sailing Day - Bufete Frau, one of the most important dates in our calendar. The event poses a logistical challenge for the club given the large number of participants, but we face it gladly,” he noted.

At this point, he highlighted that, coinciding with this twenty-first edition, the Board of Directors decided to award the CNA gold badge to Tolo Bonet, father of the test and participant in almost all editions, who started competing at 12 years old and is a father and grandfather of swimmers. “We normally only award this badge to members who have been with the club for 50 years, but we think Tolo deserved this distinction,” assures the president of the CNA.

At 84, Bonet can no longer participate in the test, but he comes every year to encourage the participants. “As long as I have health, I will come. I lived the disease up close and it fills me a lot to see so many people committed to being able to help this group,” he says.

“Thanks to the work of Club Nàutic S’Arenal and Tolo's commitment, this test is now a sports date marked on the calendar for many athletes. Given its charitable nature, it is a great opportunity to make visible a rare disease that still not many people know about,” adds Rigo. “Beyond the financial part, the 500 and some participants and their families and friends have been able to learn more about this disease and become aware of it,” she values.

“ALS remains a disease without a cure and the studies and research that are being done so far are not bearing fruit, but we can work a lot to improve the quality of life of patients,” highlights Rigo, who recalls that in recent months an ALS Law has been approved that has had a lot of impact and, at the regional level, aid of 1,000 euros has been approved for those affected in the Balearic Islands.

“People with ALS have mobility problems as all the muscles in the body atrophy. Cognitively, they are people who are, for the most part, fully capable, so they are fully aware of their deterioration and their loss of autonomy, becoming totally dependent people, with problems breathing, communicating verbally, and eating. That is why it is a group with great needs,” she emphasizes. “To help them, you can make a contribution from 1 euro, participate in charity events like Sa Milla, follow us on social media and share news, volunteer or start any charitable initiative. In the end, they are all grains of sand that help the group,” she concludes.