Les Voiles de l'Espoir is aimed at children between the ages of 8 and 14 who have suffered from cancer, and takes the youngsters on a fantastic sailing tour around the Côte d'Azur. This year's edition, the thirteenth since its inception, runs from 6–13 June.
The Table Ronde Luxembourg team is run by the Table Ronde association, which creates and supports projects for good causes. The children will be sharing their daily diary with RTL throughout the tour.
The first day is always a bit special
On the one hand, we are tired after a long overnight coach trip, but on the other hand we are full of euphoria and anticipation.
There is a lot of organisation for the first day, and lots of moving around and dragging luggage. The boats have to go from Toulon to Saint Raphaël. There is back and forth with suitcases, check-ins with the doctor, and if all goes well, we'll board the boats. This year one boat is stuck due to technical issues, so we are without the Mon Bijou on the first evening. This means a lot of reorganising! The first night is a bit stressful.
But after a long day and the opening party, we are all tired enough to fall asleep immediately. Now the adventure can begin!
Julia, the mother of one of the children participating in the tour, told RTL Today:
"Our daughter Caroline is taking part in the Voiles de L’Espoir sailing trip for children in remission from cancer this week in the South of France.
Team Luxembourg has three boats in the flotilla of 50 boats. Caroline’s boat has two children and 8 amazing crew made up of volunteers from the Table Ronde Luxembourg. Her “boat parents” are Jean-Christophe and Laurent, who have been taking such great care of the kids and ensuring they have fun and that we as parents get to see photos as their days unfold.
The trip is so thoughtfully planned and it really goes beyond our wildest dreams. It is so special for these kids who not only had to fight so hard to overcome their cancer, but in many cases continue to fight every day with the effects the cancer treatments leave behind.
Knowing that Caroline can participate so fully and that the crew from the Round Table are meeting her at her ability level is a priceless gift to our family.
It is such a pleasure to see the children full of joy and to follow along on their adventures.
The joy of these days will live in our hearts forever."
