PortAventura World’s heart beats with excitement

On Saturday 7th May more than 2000 people gathered at PortAventura World for Fiesta del Corazón (Party of the Heart), one of the most exciting events held in the park. For yet another year the PortAventura Foundation, SHE Foundation and congenital heart disease association AACIC CorAvant joined forces to raise funds.

"Feel the joy! United for the hearts of our children and young people" was the theme chosen for the Day of the Heart that was celebrated at PortAventura for the third consecutive year with one goal: to fight for the hearts of Catalonia's children and young people and raise funds to improve their quality of life.

A party photocall was set up in the México area where guests had the opportunity to have their picture taken with Bert, Ernie and Cookie Monster.  Despite the forecast and cold, wet start, everyone enjoyed a jam-packed day that ended with sun and warm weather.  The organisers did not manage to achieve the target set but they were able to confirm that this event is going from strength to strength, with people looking forward to the party and coming back year after year: "We have found that the volunteers involved and the people who attend already have it marked on the calendar, PortAventura's Fiesta del Corazón always falls in spring." Àngels Estévez, head of AACIC CorAvant in Tarragona, Terres de l'Ebre and Lleida. 

The SHE Foundation envisions a world where children, young people and adults have the ability to act positively on their health. Money raised on the day of the party will be donated to the SÍ! programme that will be implemented in schools throughout Catalonia.

During its 20-year history, AACIC CorAvant, association and foundation for congenital heart disease, has seen people take responsibility for their own well-being and successfully live with their disease, or that of someone close to them. Funds raised will go towards providing psycho-social therapy for children and young people with congenital heart disease and their families in order to improve their daily lives.

The PortAventura Foundation has played an immense role in making sure that the Day of the Heart took place again. The PortAventura Foundation's mission is to support the integration of children and young people at risk of exclusion for both social and health reasons. Among other activities, the PortAventura Foundation supports organisations and bodies that develop special projects for these groups and organises access to leisure for children and young people that are aimed at raising awareness in society of these realities.