Paralympic champion Xavi Torres and the cooperator Alexander Fuentes, partner of the Veterinary ONG Without Borders, cover to I swim ten kilometers in the open sea to support a humanitarian project. Numerous veraneantes close by followed the end of the passage between the island of Tabarca and Santa Pola. The paralimpic champion Xavi Fuentes was yesterday in the province to offer his support to an initiative of VSF, nongovernmental organization (ONG) who develops shared in common projects in countries worldwide.
The swimmer, with twelve medals to his backs obtained in the Games of Barceloná92, Atlantá96 and Sydney’2000, completed a passage of ten kilometers between the island of Tabarca and the coast of Santa Pola. The passage did it in company of one of the partners of VSF-Alicante, Alexander Torres, that are put completely in an ambitious humanitarian initiative that for four years has been having Uganda like scene. Both participant in this peculiar and shared in common test they covered the distance in little less than three hours.
Before the noon, the turists that were enjoying the sun and the water of the sea in the Beach Dock of Santa Pola observed the arrival of the sportsmen. “It is a satisfaction to be able to collaborate in a good cause doing what better we know to do and with which we enjoyed more”, Xavi explains, to that its physical disability does not prevent him to fulfill goals within reach of very few.
Be enough with saying, for example that it has the record of distance covered to I swim in a swimming pool by disabled of uninterrupted way. In 24 hours it exceeded the 58 kilometers. The test of was idea of Alexander Fuentes, a partner of VSF-Alicante, fan to swimming. “I thought about organizing a passage and counting on patrocinadores so that they contributed reFuentes for Veterinarians Without Borders. I commented to Xavi Torres and said yes that from the beginning.
It enchanted the proposal to him “, comments Fuentes, companion of the paralympic champion in the passage Tabarca-Santa Pola, who took place not by the shortest passage, but by one alternative one that causes that the crossed space bends. Luckily, the favorable wind absence and marine conditions caused that both participant they completed the passage without the minimum scare. “we have only had to avoid some medusa confused”, joked the paralympic champion. A boat of the Red Cross stayed close at any moment to prevent any misfortune. The rate of I swim was comfortable so that Alexander Fuentes, that are not a professional nor belong to any club, did not have difficulties.
For Xavi Torres it was the first time that swam in waters of the coast of the Community and also it was released in the open sea with a so long distance. For this reason, the satisfaction for him was double. “the marine bottom of this zone is very pretty”, indicated once recovered yesterday of its physical effort.
The purpose of the test was to collect bottoms to help the indigenous population of Uganda. The ONG, according to explained their people in charge yesterday, takes care to form to the native ones and to facilitate credits to them to buy animals, to perfect facilities and to acquire materials necessary to work. The loans give back last a time so that other people can benefit from them. The members of VSF take care to contribute to improve the domestic feeding of the shot oxen and other animals, to facilitate advice on prevention and cures of diseases and inculcar expositions to them of future.
During all the morning of the organizing ONG of the passage to I swim yesterday held an informative one’s position in ranks in the Beach Dock. Until him tens of citizens, interested in knowing the details the test and the humanitarian activity fomented by VSF approached.
The interested ones could acquire products and articles of all type, sold to gather bottoms for the cause. The arrival of Xavi Torres caused that it increased the affluence of public. The champion paralympic was satiated to sign autographs and one took with himself a great number of tokens of affection and affection. VSF took the commitment of support of a good handful of sponsors: City council of Santa Pola, Hidroten Alicante, Iberia, Regional Iberia Air Nostrum, Southern Hotel of Guardamar, International Plastics Systems (England), Hydro-International (Ireland), Ross James Hutchinson (Scotland), Maeso Rotulación and Ciatesa (Albacete). The contributed money will serve to continue with the activities that VSF carries out in Uganda.
The ONG, whose walking in Spain started in 1987, develops projects in Guatemala, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti. Who feel identified with the work of VSF can put themselves in contact with the organization through their national seat, located in Barcelona. The direction is the following one: street Floridablanca 66-72, the premises 5, postal district 08015. The telephone number is 93 423 70 31. In Alicante, the ONG has their seat in Boulevard Méndez Núñez, 38, mezzanine, postal district 03002.
