The Cudeca Walkathon took place on Sunday the 12th of May, bringing together nearly 1.000 friends of all different ages and nationalities with the aim of raising funds to help the Cudeca Hospice.

 

Altogether, we managed to raise more than 22.500€ which will go towards the running expenses of the home care teams which care for more than 750 people suffering from cancer or other incurable advanced illnesses, also offering support to the patient’s family at no cost whatsoever.  Since 1992, more than 8.000 patients have received Cudeca’s care.

 

The Cudeca Hospice offers its Special Kind of Caring to both the patient and the family, thanks to the professional team of doctors, psychologists, social workers, nurses and volunteers.

 

At the start of the 10 km. walk, the CEO and Medical Director, Dr. Marisa Martín, together with the Financial Director, Rafael Olalla, were accompanied by the Councillor for Health, Inmaculada Hernández.

 

One hour later, both the 5 km. and  2 km. walks, the latter special for people with reduced mobility, were accompanied as a guest by the Mayor of Benalmádena, Paloma García, together with council representatives:  Inmaculada Hernández, Councillor for Health: Ana Macías, Councillor for Public Participation; Francisco Salido, Councillor for Welfare; Juan Miguel Muriel, Councillor for Economy and Taxation; Concepción Tejada, Councillor for  Events; Concha Ciprián, Councillor for Communications, as well as representatives of other different political groups in the municipality.

 

Live entertainment was enjoyed throughout the day with Mel Williams, Arran Harding, Mark Connor, Laura, Tarifa Plana, Coro Rociero Peña Unión del Cante and the Marimar Belly Dancers.

 

Nearly 1.000 people were able to enjoy the three huge paellas prepared for the event by Cudeca volunteers, together with raffles, face painting, bouncing castle, games and other activities organised by our good friends, Exploramás, who have again this year supported us free of charge.

 

The raffle was called out by the well known 3,40TV presenter of the programme “Bienvenidos” , José Miguel Fernández, who also named the winners of the prizes for the largest amount collected and also the biggest group taking part.

 

The winners of the award for the largest amount collected, were Kim & Bente Gottlieb with 2.680€ and was presented by José Carlos Martínez, a singer for the Calvario Zone group and also a Cudeca patient, the prize being a 7 night stay at Vilar do Golf (Algarve) for 4 people, thanks to Diamond Resorts International.  In second place, was Chris Knapp with 1.011,40€, and the prize of a stay for 2 people at the Hotel Don Carlos, which was presented by the Benalmadena Councillor for Health, Inmaculada Hernández.  In third place, the Soroptimist Association with 834,45€ receiving their prize from Maria Angeles Revuelta, representing the volunteers making the paella – 2 nights, with breakfast for 2 persons at the Sunset Beach Hotel.

 

The winning group for most participants was the Sunny View School from Torremolinos, with 54 students.  Their prize being invitation tickets to the main attractions on the coast: Biopark Fuengirola, the Benalmadena Ice Hockey Centre, the Benalmadena Butterfly Park, McDonalds, Nagomi Spa at the Reserva del Higuerón, Sea Life, Selwo and Tivoli World.

 

The Cudeca Cancer Care Foundation would like to thank all those who took part in the Walkathon as well as those who helped as volunteers which made it possible for this 11th edition of the Walkathon to take place.  Also many thanks to the sponsors:

 

Patronato Deportivo Municipal de Benalmádena, Diputación de Málaga, Cajamar, Hotel Sunset Beach Club, Exploramás, Knight Insurance Brokers, Coca Cola, McDonalds Benalmádena, Carrefour Torremolinos, San Miguel, Cadena Ser, Talk Radio Europe, Mijas Comunicación, 3.40TV, CEDMA, Diario SUR, SUR in English y SUR Deutsche.

 

The support of the whole community is essential for Cudeca to be able to continue Adding Life to Days for those who need us now and in the future.