The fourth edition of the 'BiciclELA' solidarity challenge has once again been a success
After more than 1,000 kilometres and nearly 60 hours of cycling, Alejandro Martínez, Roberto Gómez, Borja Jiménez and Iván Hernández have arrived in Seville to raise awareness of this disease and raise funds for people suffering from it, coinciding with World Day for the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
The fourth edition of the 'BiciclELA' solidarity challenge has once again been a success thanks to the commitment and effort of these four cyclists who have overcome this challenge organised by the Spanish Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (adELA), with the collaboration of Ineco and the Fundación para el Desarrollo y la Integración, and which has managed, through the adELA website and the economic contribution made by Ineco professionals, to raise funds that will be used to support the needs of people suffering from this disease.
The president of Ineco, Sergio Vázquez Torrón, highlighted Ineco's commitment to solidarity. "Ineco is a company that is aware of what is happening around us and of helping those in need, which is why acts of institutional solidarity such as BiciclELA are so important," he said.
For his part, Javier Fernández, President of the Seville Provincial Council, declared that "we are delighted that it has been decided that the Provincial Council, this space that is the province of Seville, a place where almost two million people come together, is the ideal place to finish this exciting Challenge.
The sub-delegate of the Government in Seville, Francisco Toscano, has borrowed the words of Nelson Mandela to focus on 'sport's ability to change the world'. 'And it has that capacity precisely because it adds up to values that must necessarily unite us as a society. The idea has to be that, with the support of the public administrations, the commitment to care for those who need it and to research, which in the end is the key to a more solvent future for people suffering from ALS and their families, becomes a reality'.
The speeches of Rosa María Sanz, manager of AdELA, the beneficiary association of this challenge, were particularly moving: 'My heart is full just to see you four athletes arrive and to see you complete the Challenge. From the Association we would like to thank you for the money you have raised because, although we all know that this disease cannot be cured at the moment, what we can do is to take care of it and the care that our patients need is specialised care for which all the money raised is necessary and important. And, on the other hand, for the visibility, because the effort you have made, what is seen, is what ultimately makes this disease known and, anywhere in Spain, anyone affected can get to know the associations that can be a support and a travelling companion,' said Sanz.
The most solidary 'Ruta de la Plata'
The Plaza de España in Avilés was the point chosen to start the fourth edition of the solidarity challenge 'BiciclELA' and the more than 1,000 kilometres that separated the Asturian city from the Andalusian capital, Seville.
A journey that took more than 60 hours of challenge along the Ruta de la Plata, crossing Asturias, Castilla y León, Extremadura and Andalusia during one and a half days. An unprecedented challenge with a cumulative difference in altitude of more than 8,300 metres. This is how the participating cyclist, Alejandro Martínez, put it: "I don't know how fast I could pedal on my own, but I do know that I would never get any further than with this great team", thanking his fellow riders, the FDI organisation and the support of Ineco.
Thanks to the funds raised, adELA will be able to continue working towards its goal of improving the quality of life of people affected by ALS and other motor neuron diseases. It will thus be able to continue to offer care services (on site and at home), information and counselling, guidance on social benefits, training for family members and carers or nursing care. It will also offer cultural and leisure activities, adapted for people with reduced mobility, for ALS patients and their families, accompanied by volunteers from the Association.
More than 3,000 people affected by ALS in Spain
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or ALS) is a disease of the central nervous system, characterised by progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the cerebral cortex (upper motor neurons), brainstem, and spinal cord (lower motor neurons). The consequence is muscle weakness that can progress to paralysis, spreading from one region of the body to another. It threatens motor autonomy, oral communication, swallowing and breathing, although senses, intellect and eye muscles remain intact. The patient needs more and more help to perform activities of daily living, becoming more dependent.
The disease, which has already diagnosed more than 3,000 people in our country, especially affects people between the ages of 40 and 70, more frequently in men and between the ages of 60 and 69. Each year there are about three new cases a day.
