The Army, the Civil Guard, the National Police, the Local Police, the Fire Brigade, the Forestry Brigades, Samur, and Civil Protection will mobilise on December 12 to assist with the collection of the Solidarity Telemarathon #ShareCanaryIslands which will be hosted in MercaTenerife. This event, which will be broadcast live on the channel run by Manuel Artiles, aims to provide assistance to over 40,000 Canarians enduring severe poverty and, particularly, to the 6,000 children living in such circumstances.
The largest act of solidarity in the archipelago also enjoys the support of Intesa Canarias, which, as is customary, provides its fleet of trucks to the organisation. In total, over 100 vehicles will ensure that the solidarity of the islanders reaches vulnerable families.
The Telemarathon signifies an unprecedented logistical operation, aimed at ensuring that the aid donated by individuals, organisations, and businesses reaches 228 non-governmental organisations and entities via the Food Banks of the archipelago. To streamline this process, Mírame Televisión has entered into agreements with two shipping companies that will transport donations to all the islands.
This initiative of Mírame Televisión originated during the 2008 crisis as a response to the dire situation Canarians were facing, relying on the goodwill of the islanders to assist the most vulnerable for over a decade. Chronic poverty is a deeply entrenched issue in the islands, with 33.8% of the population, nearly 750,000 individuals, at risk of poverty and social exclusion, according to the XIV Report The State of Poverty published by the European Network to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion in October this year. This implies that one in three Canarians is in a vulnerable position.
Moreover, the Canary Islands report an average annual income of only 10,116 euros, the lowest in Spain, and is the autonomous community where the cost of living has escalated the most in the past year, with an increase of 12%. Additionally, issues such as the housing crisis, gender disparity, and lack of support for families with children are evident, based on the same report.
These statistics highlight the pressing need for solidarity. Compounding this issue, the Food Banks will not receive European funding this year to assist the most deprived families.
In this context, the network aims, as it has in previous years, for the largest act of solidarity on the islands to provide relief to families in critical situations. Therefore, they request donations of non-perishable food items, essential baby products, clothing, footwear, new toys, and personal hygiene supplies.
The organisers of the Solidarity Telemarathon have established authorised collection centres to make donating easier for the public. The website www.mirametv.com along with the group’s social media platforms and the network’s special programming will provide daily updates on these locations.
Additionally, Mírame Televisión has made available a telephone number for groups, businesses, and entities that wish to become authorised collection points or make donations: 691 62 57 97 and via email at telemaraton@mirametv.com. These channels are open for anyone wishing to participate in the largest initiative of solidarity in the Canary Islands.
