September also marked the start of a new season of making a difference for the club's Endowment Fund. A campaign to raise awareness of bone marrow donors, the return of the Restos du Cœur charity drive and the Community Stand, as well as time spent with the children and families supported by the Gym… It was a month that saw a number of charitable initiatives, culminating in the #SeatsForAll auction and an incredible show of support from the Rouge et Noir family. 

A chEque for €90,918 FOR THE victims OF 14 JULY 2016

The #SeatsForAll auction brought together the entire Rouge et Noir family around the 22 artworks created from seats at the Allianz Riviera by artists from Whole Street.

Olivier Pantaloni and the Aiglons Axel Witsel, Sofiane Diop, Gauthier Hein, Laurent Abergel, Morgan Sanson and Moïse Bombito took part, alongside former players Alassane Plea, Jérémy Pied, Pierre Lees-Melou, Walter Benítez and Kaïl Boudache. Club chairmen Jean-Pierre Rivère and Maurice Cohen also took part, as did Nice Eco Stadium and several of the Club’s partners and donors.

A total of €90,918 was raised, including €77,600 from the sale, supplemented by proceeds from the auction of the third kits and warm-up T-shirts worn during the match between Nice and Le Mans, as well as personal donations. The entire sum will be donated to Promenade des Anges, Life for Nice, Mémorial des Anges and Une Voie des Enfants. 

Élio: A STORY TO INSPIRE 

The story of Élio, a four-year-old boy from Nice suffering from leukaemia, served as a reminder of just how important bone marrow donation is. Whilst a compatible donor was eventually found, Le Gym rallied alongside Nice University Hospital and Elio's father, Thomas Papavoine, to raise awareness of this life-saving act. Players, staff and employees were briefed at the Training Centre, ahead of a further public awareness campaign at the Allianz Riviera during the match between Nice and Nille. The aim: to encourage healthy 18–35-year-olds to join the donor register. 

THE Restos du Cœur AND LE Gym REUNITED 

Solidarity also began within the Club with an internal fundraising drive in aid of Restos du Cœur. Volunteers then came to the Training Centre to collect the donations, watch a training session and spend some time with the players. The campaign continued at the Allianz Riviera with the return of fundraising drives amongst the supporters. As is the case every season, Restos du Cœur will once again be present at our upcoming home matches.

NATHÉO: THE LITTLE HERO FROM la Maison Adrien

Nathéo, a young resident at Maison Adrien, also enjoyed a lovely experience in Rouge et Noir. It was a welcome break that allowed a child living at Maison Adrien to escape from his everyday challenges. As a long-standing partner of the Adrien charity, the Endowment Fund continues to demonstrate its commitment to sick children and their families. 

THE COMMUNITY STAND IS BACK 

With the Aiglons’ return to the Allianz Riviera, The Community Stand has also returned to its customary activities. For the match between Nice and Lille, 200 beneficiaries from local charities and organisations were able to watch the game from the stands. Children, families and people supported by social or medical services: the Community Stand continues its mission to enable as many people as possible to enjoy the experience of an OGC Nice match throughout the season.