The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been helping raise funds for the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque charity for over ten years. This charity, which was set up in 1996 by Professor Francine Leca, brings children with heart malformations to France for operations when they cannot be treated in their home country due to a lack of funding or facilities.

Since 2009, 100 children have undergone life-saving surgery thanks to this partnership. Many fund-raising operations are held throughout the year, including a tombola, the sale of charity merchandise, and the 24-hour “Heart-a-thon”, to aid this worthy cause. The 2021 Valentine’s Day heart-a-thon won a prize for event publicization.

This year we organised a collection of emergency supplies to be sent to Ukraine. Staff donated 84 food items, 131 medical and hygiene items, 51 children’s items and 250kg of clothes to the Secours Populaire.
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans we auctioned signed Ukrainian flags in support of the Ukrainian people. We were also pleased to welcome two Ukrainians to our digital and CSR teams.

Frédéric Sausset. In 2016, he became the first quadruple amputee to take part and finish the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2021, he returned as Manager of a team comprising two drivers with disabilities. Sausset and the ACO have also set up a partnership within the scope of the “Critérium du Jeune Conducteur” initiative to promote access to road safety training for youngsters with disabilities. A car has been specially designed for children with mobility disabilities.

Since 2017 the disability cause has also been taken up on two wheels with the International Bridgestone Handy Race. This competition is reserved for riders with disabilities and will be held as a curtain-raiser to the 24H Motos in 2021.

Spectators have not been forgotten either. Since 2010, the ACO has been active in making access to the racetrack and its infrastructures easier for people with reduced mobility. We shall continue striving to give visitors with disabilities the best possible race experience.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans could not take place without our 2,000 volunteers. Track marshals, medical staff and car park attendants, to name but a few of the roles, are all hugely appreciated. They receive due acknowledgement of their work by way of a volunteer pack, and we are particularly attentive to their requirements. This year, local company Bordeau Chesnel organised a special “thank you” campaign for the event volunteers.