The Arpaillargues and Aureilhac Solidarity Association

Introduction

The origins of the AAS date back to the first Telethon, “organised at the time by volunteers from the FC2A, the Arpaillargues and Aureilhac Football Club, with the aim of bringing together businesses, organisations and residents around a common cause”, explains Coralie Zabala, a member of the association.

A united and committed team

Under the chairmanship of Nascimo Pourchet, “whose personal history lends a very special resonance to his commitment to the Telethon”, the AAS includes active members such as Bernadette Souchay, treasurer, and Christiane Bonanno, secretary, “who have been involved in organising the local Telethon for many years, contributing their experience, network, skills and energy to sustain this collective commitment”… (Photo: Jordy Le Bruchec, Nascimo Pourchet – president of the AAS, Gérard Dautreppe – mayor of Arpaillargues-et-Aureilhac, Romuald Prevel – Director of Crédit Mutuel Uzès, Coralie Zabala, Christiane Bonanno – secretary, Bernadette Souchay – treasurer, Magalie Masson – Uzès Golf Club).

Today, it is ‘Courir pour Guérir’ that brings together, in addition to the association’s members, athletes (including members of the Uzès Training Club – some of whose coaches will be leading the group warm-up before the races and the cool-down stretches at the finish line – and Alain Gaspard, who is in charge of official timekeeping) and any other participants wishing to come together in solidarity and channel their energy towards a good cause on 20 September 2026. In addition, Catherine Martin from ‘Tous en mouvement’ will also be present to lead physical activities adapted for people with reduced mobility.

‘Courir pour Guérir’ is designed as a major local festival: alongside the races and walks, it is also a cultural and convivial event hosted by Jacky Razon, in a village brimming with entertainment and fast-food stalls, where you can meet:

- local producers such as Le Mas Platon (read our article),

- partner organisations (see the list below),

- other organisations (the Photochouet club, some of whose members will be covering the race; CODERS – the Gard Departmental Committee for Sport in Retirement; the Gard Departmental Hiking Committee (FFR Gard), which sees ‘Courir pour Guérir’ as “an event that perfectly illustrates sport’s ability to bring people together for a great cause, as highlighted by Annick Delbos, president of FFR Gard”, etc.),

- and the many volunteers who bring the heart of the village to life.

Swinging poster: Alongside the race, participants and visitors will also be able to explore the exhibition by contemporary artist Jordy Le Bruchec at the Temple d’Arpaillargues the week before the race and on the day itself (a portion of the proceeds from sales made on this occasion will be donated to the charity to support the initiatives backed by the event) and take part in ‘Ils Swinguent Ils Courent’, organised by the Uzès Golf Club.

Fancy getting involved? Nothing could be simpler – just get in touch with the committee members, who will suggest several ways you can get involved in their work, whether on a one-off basis or more regularly.

Many thanks to Coralie Zabala, Christiane Bonanno and Bernadette Souchay for their contribution to this article.

The right address: Association Arpaillargues et Aureilhac Solidarité (AAS), contact: aasolidarite@outlook.fr, tel: 06 87 24 52 95. Find the AAS on Instagram and Facebook. Partner organisations? In alphabetical order (non-exhaustive list): APE, ASEPTA, L’Arc en Ciel, La CCPU, Château des Coccinelles, Club Photochouet, Crédit Mutuel, CODERS 30, the Gard Department, FFRando, Fromagerie Albert, Gemini Market, Uzès Golf Club, Intermarché, Jordy Le Bruchec, Kavayou restaurant, Laboratoires Asepta Monaco, La Fille des vignes, Arpaillargues-et-Aureilhac Town Hall, Le Mas des Tourelles, Le Moulin d’Aubuss’Ane, Musée 1900, Nutrisanté, Passeport Beauté, Piémont Sport, Prison Island, Punch Power, Puressentiel, Optic 2000, the Occitanie Region, Signal 30, Sinfonia Immobilier, Sivel Entreprise, SM Concept, ST Mamet, Sport 2000, Tropic Plantes, the Training Club Uzès, XDP...