The Girona Campsites Association has allocated a record €40,000 this year to corporate social responsibility initiatives, marking a significant step towards the establishment of the Fundació Càmpings de Girona, scheduled to launch in 2026. The foundation will provide a permanent and structured framework to expand the sector’s long-term commitment to social causes.
The funds were raised through a series of initiatives promoted by the Association and have been channelled into social projects across Girona and Catalonia, with a particular focus on healthcare, disability support and assistance for vulnerable groups.
“Càmping Solidari” campaign raises more than €21,900
The largest share of the total donation comes from the “Càmping Solidari” campaign, which in its seventh edition raised €21,906, further consolidating its position as a pioneering initiative within the campsite sector. The funds were distributed as follows:
- €11,500 to support childhood cancer research at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona, through the Polseres Candela Association
- €8,206 to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FEM)
- €1,500 to Astrid 21 Foundation, supporting people with Down’s syndrome in Girona and the surrounding areas
- €700 to AFANOC, the Association of Families and Friends of Children with Cancer in Catalonia
Several activities were organised in collaboration with GAP Serveis Turístics. The campaign included children’s workshops to create bracelets, bags and T-shirts, as well as the traditional “Mulla’t” charity swim, promoted by FEM to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis – a condition affecting more than 11,000 people in Catalonia.
“This campaign has allowed us to join forces and continue contributing, with even greater determination, to improving people’s lives, even in small but meaningful ways,” said Miquel Gotanegra, President of the Girona Campsites Association.
Support for the Descans Vital project by Fundació Altem
At the same time, around twenty campsites in the province contributed a total of €16,713 this year to the Descans Vital project run by Fundació Altem, an organisation with over 50 years of experience supporting more than 300 people with intellectual disabilities or mental health conditions in the Alt Empordà region.
The donation will fund the installation of 15 beds and 45 adjustable mattresses, as well as four air-conditioning units, at the Les Acàcies residential facility in El Far d’Empordà. The overall budget for the project amounts to €30,000.
Collaboration with hospitals during Christmas fundraising campaigns
The remaining funds, bringing the total contribution to €40,000, were allocated to the “Dona la teva llum” Christmas campaign run by Josep Trueta and Santa Caterina hospitals. The initiative supports the humanisation of hospital environments, including paediatric wards, maternity units and critical cardiac care departments, with the aim of improving patients’ comfort and overall experience during their stay.
The Association also took part in the “Col·labora amb el Bernat Jaume” campaign promoted by Fundació Salut Empordà, which seeks to enhance the environment for patients and families at the Bernat Jaume Intermediate Care Hospital, creating a more welcoming and comfortable setting.
Fundació Càmpings de Girona: a long-term vision
Looking ahead to 2026, the Girona Campsites Association will officially launch the Fundació Càmpings de Girona, designed to coordinate and strengthen the sector’s social initiatives. Its priorities will include support for children affected by illness and their families, assistance to vulnerable groups, and the promotion of paediatric research.
The Foundation will also establish scholarships for individuals with limited financial means who wish to enrol in the Master of Sustainable Outdoor Hospitality Management (CampMaster), a postgraduate programme focused on the sustainable management of campsites and resorts, in which the Association plays an active role.
Through this initiative, Girona’s campsites reaffirm their commitment to social responsibility, encouraging both visitors and local communities to engage in projects that deliver tangible benefits for social wellbeing.
This article was originally published on Camping Profesional
Piscina & Wellness Barcelona – The 2023 edition was the best in the last 10 years