The JL Lagardère Foundation supports Ti Colibri

The Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation has decided to support programmes conducted in disadvantaged housing estates and neighbourhoods by fencing champion Laura Flessel and her organisation, Ti Colibri.

Every month, Flessel hands out fencing gear to small clubs with limited financial means and to underprivileged children who would like to take part in the sport.

“With these programmes, which we’ve christened ‘Ballestra’ – from the name of a fencing move that means ‘jump forward’ – we’re helping to make this sport more democratic”, says Flessel.

On Wednesday 11 October, the fencing champion, a double gold medallist at the Olympic Games, will travel to Bondy late in the afternoon.(1) On this occasion, she will donate 20 complete sets of fencing gear to children who belong to clubs in Bondy and Saint Denis. “The children in these clubs don’t know I’m coming”, says Flessel. “That’s the whole idea of Operation Ballestra: to give the kids a fun time by surprising them”!(2)

The Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation’s support for Flessel’s charitable project is part of its overall commitment to strengthen the role played by sports in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. “Our goal is not only to reveal individual potential and encourage serious participation in a sport, but also to introduce children to the many sports-related occupations”, says Arnaud Lagardère, chairman of the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation.

(1) The event will take place at 5:00 p.m. at the Michel Beaufort pool, 207 avenue Gallieni, 93140 Bondy.

(2) To avoid revealing the surprise, please maintain full secrecy about this event up until 5:00 p.m., Wednesday 11 October.
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