Skating for the cause!

GOOD DEED > THE ROLLER PARADE Skating for the cause! On 27 December, from 8 pm, the streets of Brussels will see roller-skating addicts parade. But beyond the fun, this event will above all have a charitable purpose, since it will help the Restos du Cœur, Belgian version. Behind the initiative is the non-profit Les Halles du Cœur, which had already organised a big concert at La Tentation last February. Thanks to it, nearly €7,000 were collected for the Belgian Restos du Cœur Federation (FRCB). That success allowed the association to sign a three-year partnership with the FRCB. On 1 February 2003 the non-profit will host the second Belgian "Restos du Cœur Day" at the Halles de Schaerbeek (with, among others, performances by Machiavel, Marka and Starflam). Drawing the crowds This kind of organisation requires considerable promotion, in order to attract as many people as possible and multiply donation opportunities. That is why this "Brussels Rollers" is being held on Friday 27 December, open to all and free of charge. Many volunteers will hand out flyers and posters to announce February's concert. For Dalido Mastrangelo, President and General Coordinator of Les Halles du Cœur, it is essential to make such events better known to the general public. A musician himself, this art lover had long nurtured the ambition of bringing together, on the French model, as many artists as possible in order to create the event. And to fight as far as possible against growing poverty. Dalido Mastrangelo is all the more determined as he notes a rising movement of solidarity and increasingly sustained media attention. RTBF and Radio 21 are notably at the forefront in supporting his efforts. The example of Coluche The idea of bringing together big names for charity is not new: a certain Michel Colucci showed the way back in 1984. It nevertheless took nearly 20 years for Belgium to follow suit. Much effort was needed to convince people of the relevance of what was then only a project. And to show how much the Belgian "Enfoirés" needed public support. So on your night out next Friday, do not be surprised to come across the odd skater. Exceptionally, speeding will be tolerated. For a good cause. Or quite simply, in order to "go beyond every man for himself"… PRACTICAL > 27/12 at 8 pm. Welcome on Place Poelaert. Departure 9 pm. Arrival 11 pm at Halles Saint-Géry. Photo caption: On 27 December, the now sacrosanct Roller Parade will see its many aficionados mobilise for the Belgian Restos du Cœur. An initiative that would certainly have appealed to Coluche. (Photo C. Gerbehaye)