A TRANSATLANTIC RACE BASED ON SOLIDARITY

Solidaire du Chocolat is not a transatlantic race like others. For the first time, there is a solidarity challenge that participants, sponsors, patrons, journalists and event partners can rise to TOGETHER, as part of a concrete citizen-based programme.

In addition to the sporting challenge, the organisers will ensure that each participant on the starting line on 18 October 2009 will be associated with a strong and meaningful solidarity project.

Each skipper can also suggest a project, a patron (whether they are the sponsor of the boat of not) and a personality (symbol) that the charity would like to be supported by during the prologue and the rest of the race.

The patron undertakes to donate €25 000 (including tax) to the charity, €15 000 of which is tax-deductible for the company. Charities must be eligible for sponsorship according to the terms of law no. 2003-709 of 1 August 2003 relating to sponsorship, charities and foundations (organisations in the general interest or of recognised public utility that support projects of general interest)

How is this race original and different?

Solidaire du Chocolat is more than just a major sporting event. It also represents a solidarity challenge and forms part of a concrete sustainable development project. In a world where inequality is increasing, charities need financial resources more than ever. In parallel, citizens are becoming aware of the urgent need to take action to encourage greater solidarity and companies are realising that they need to back up their sustainable development commitments.

Solidaire du Chocolat aims to take advantage of its media coverage to:

• Raise the profile of the charities represented in the race but also of the associative sector more generally.
• Enable charities supporting a project in the general interest to receive a donation of €25 000.
• Enable small and medium size companies to take part in a sponsorship project.

How do you become the patron of a charity?

All skippers ask their sponsors or another company to become patrons and give €25 000 to the cause they are defending. Each boat in the race can therefore sponsor a charity supporting a project in the general interest. Some of the space on the boat will be set aside to promote the charity and the patron: a 1 m x 1 m area on the headsail in a homogenous typeface set out by the race organisers.

What types of charities can be supported?

A committee has been set up to approve the suggested charities. Charities must:

• Be eligible for sponsorship according to the terms of law no. 2003-709 of 1 August 2003 relating to sponsorship, charities and foundations (organisations in the general interest or of recognised public utility that support projects of general interest).
• Act in the philanthropic, educational, scientific, social, humanitarian, sporting, familial or cultural sectors, or endeavour to promote artistic heritage, environmental protection and the spread of French culture, language and scientific knowledge.
• Have clearly identified projects guaranteeing that the money will be used wisely.

In order to promote the local associative sector, regional charities (or charities active in the Pays de la Loire region) as well as charities active in Mexico will be given priority.

Can skippers sign up if they do not have a patron?

YES. Of course. At the pre-registration stage, each skipper will suggest a charity, a patron (whether they are the sponsor of the boat or not) and a personality that the charity would like to be supported by during the prologue and the rest of the race.
However, if the skipper is not able to suggest a charity and/or patron, or if the charity does not match the criteria set out above and is not approved by the committee, the Solidaire du Chocolat association will suggest a patron and/or charity.