Cars for Smiles Salamanca – September 26, 2023

Cars for Smiles (C4S), the non-profit solidarity movement that was born 9 years ago in Barcelona with the aim of bringing joy and motivation to children and adolescents with serious illnesses or complicated living conditions, recently celebrated in Salamanca, at the Quercus Vega circuit, its first edition in the city with an event in which these young people could become co-drivers of sports and classic supercars for a day.

Thanks to the efforts and dedication of the new C4S Salamanca team formed by Pilar Blanco, Sergio López, and Luis Ángel Sánchez, C4S has been able to reach more co-pilots and their families in a new city. Pilar, Sergio and Luis have worked hard to be able to hold the event in their city and have had a very motivated team from the La Caixa Foundation coordinated by José Mangas to whom we send a special thank you for their support and collaboration.

The event brought together 22 children and teenagers and as many drivers, mostly owners of exclusive vehicles from legendary brands such as Alfa Romeo, Bentley, BMW M, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar or Porsche. They were joined by their families, volunteers and managers of the companies that sponsor and support the event.

The purpose of Cars for Smiles (C4S) has always been to create excitement and smiles for these young people, as well as to provide support to their families and the people who, within hospital institutions, are dedicated to their care.

Therefore, in addition to providing them with a unique and motivating experience, the collection that is made through donations from the pilots (owners), companies and anonymous people, is 100% destined for projects or improvements in the hospital facilities in which these young people carry out their treatments. For this edition of Salamanca, the Salamanca University Care Complex project was selected to “Make the pediatric area more pleasant and warm so that patients and families feel more comfortable”; explained Dr. Eduardo Consuegra, head of the Pediatrics service. Thanks to the generosity of the owners, companies and anonymous people, a total of 8,500.00 euros was raised, which will be donated entirely to the aforementioned project.

In this edition of Cars for Smiles (C4S) the day began at 9:00 a.m. with the accreditation of the co-drivers and pilots. After breakfast, enjoyed in the interior patio of the emblematic Colegio del Arzobispo Fonseca, all attendees went up to the assembly hall. After an official opening by Mr. José Bernardo Portela, General Delegate of Empresas Castilla y León and Martijn Elvers of C4S, Nicolas Aymerich of C4S continues explaining the day’s agenda and finally the moment awaited by the co-pilots and pilots began: the training of the teams. During the team formation the excitement increased because the co-pilot and the owner (pilot) were called to get to know each other and be companions for the rest of the day.

From the Archbishop Fonseca School, the caravan of vehicles escorted by the Salamanca police left towards Plaza Mayor. Seeing and hearing 22 supercars entering the Plaza Mayor is an unforgettable experience. Once parked in the Plaza Mayor, there was time to look at the cars, sit in different models, share that special moment with family members and of course take photos. We left the Plaza to applause from volunteers, family members, and surprised visitors to the plaza.

The route continues towards Vega de Tirados, where another exciting activity awaits the teams. On the outskirts of the city, the escort changed from the local police to the Civil Guard who continued escorting the caravan to the Quercus Vega Circuit. A real honor for all attendees to be able to inaugurate the track with its first activity. The first laps were demonstrations, carried out by the very young 13-year-old driver Sergio Verdugo with his KTM390 motorcycle that competes in the 400cc category. After the circuit, Sergio and his father took the motorcycle to the patio of the Colegio del Arzobispo Fonseca where the co-pilots were able to get on their motorcycle and take a photo with Sergio (follow sergi_4_7 on IG); thank you so much!

After briefing the drivers, the 22 cars are divided into 2 groups and several rounds of filming and experiences aboard the supercars begin.

Once the route was finished, back at the Archbishop Fonseca School, the day closed with a presentation of prizes to the co-pilots and a symbolic check to Dr. Eduardo Consuegra for the aforementioned 8,500.00 euros. Each pilot received a medal from La Caixa.

The hospitals and foundations that have collaborated in this edition of C4S are: the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca and the Pyfano Foundation that have wanted to be part of the positive impact that Cars for Smiles (C4S) has generated to date in the cities of Barcelona and Madrid, managing to raise more than 80,000 euros since its inception in 2014.

From 2022, at each event, we offset the CO2 generated during our event by planting trees donated by Dani Blasco and Dani de Quadras, creators of ‘El bosque de los Dani’s’ at Tree-Nation.com.

Other partners and sponsors of this edition are Red Itevelesa, Junta de Castilla y León, Tormes Motor, Circuito Quercus Vega, Ayuntamiento Vega de Tirados, Grúas Perez Coco, Joyero Torrico,  Leche Gaza, Helcesa, Origen, Calderun, BERNABE CAMPAL, Dr. Terron, Elías Varas, Fletdis, Beher, Jamón PRIM, Quesos la Antigua, Contratas y Obras San Gregorio, Tebrio.

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