A procession of hundreds of youngsters will herald the launch of the Solidarity Telemarathon 2024, taking place tomorrow, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Mercatenerife. The purpose of this event is to gather support for over 40,000 Canarians facing extreme poverty, of which 6,000 are under the age of 18.
At the Mercatenerife venue, a dedicated area will be created for the children, featuring a fun fair with activities including face painting, clown performances, and various shows. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to meet the ambassador of the Three Wise Men, to whom they can personally hand over their letters.
This year’s edition of the most significant charitable event in the Canary Islands coincides with the 50th anniversary of Mercatenerife, which will welcome the public keen on making donations and joining in this grand celebration of generosity.
Various institutions and businesses will contribute to the event, while artists such as Carmen Lupión, Héctor Artiles, Fabio Isola, Sínora and Kebehi, among others, will perform on stage in support of the #CompartirCanarias initiative.
Participants
The procession that will carry donations from businesses, organisations, and individuals will feature remarkable logistics. The Army, UME, Civil Guard, National Police, Local Police, Fire Service, Forestry Brigades, Samur, Civil Protection, and the company Iltesa will be involved, with over 100 vehicles deployed.
The Tenerife Carnival groups will conclude this parade of generosity, and on stage, a tribute will be given to the organisations and entities that tirelessly support those in need throughout the year, alongside the volunteers who dedicate their time to assist others. This recognition will be presented through the Tenerife Isla Solidaria programme by the Councilor for Social Action, Inclusion, Volunteering and Citizen Participation of the Cabildo, Águeda Fumero.
The Telemarathon will wrap up with the general director of the channel, Manuel Artiles, and the president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, sharing the figures of the donations raised during this edition of the largest charitable event in the Canary Islands.
Origin
The #CompartirCanarias initiative, championed by Mírame TV, was established during the 2008 crisis as a response to the severe circumstances confronting the Canary Islands. Since then, it has been sustained by the generosity of the islanders for over a decade to aid the most vulnerable populations.
Persistent poverty remains a deeply entrenched issue in the islands. According to the XIV Report on the State of Poverty by the European Network to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, published in October this year, 33.8% of the Canarian populace (nearly 750,000 individuals) is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. This equates to one in three Canarians facing a vulnerable situation.
Moreover, the Canary Islands have an average annual income of merely 10,116 euros, the lowest in Spain. In the past year, it has been the autonomous community where grocery prices have surged the most, with a 12% increase. Contributing factors include the housing crisis, the gender divide, and inadequate support for families with children, as outlined in the same report. This year, the situation is even more dire, as Food Banks will no longer receive European funds to aid the most disadvantaged families.
In this context, Mírame Televisión aims, as in prior years, for this significant charitable effort on the islands to provide relief for families in dire straits. Consequently, they request donations of non-perishable food items, essential baby supplies, clothing, footwear, new toys, and personal care products.
