Fundació brings christmas to Joan XXIII Hospital and la Muntanyeta Centre of Tarragona

As is tradition during this season, yesterday the friendly characters of PortAventura paid a visit to the children’s ward of the Joan XXIII Hospital in Tarragona to give out presents to the children admitted there. This year Fundació PortAventura also took the Christmas Spirit to La Muntanyeta Regional Association for Sufferers of Cerebral Palsy, located in the same city.

The children and young people of La Muntanyeta were delighted by the various performances given by mariachi bands and dancers interpreting lively pieces of Mexican folklore and traditional Christmas carols from the country. Children and teachers in the centre were also treated to a quick change demonstration by two dancers changing outfits in a short space of time and in rhythm with the music.

Some of the park’s best-loved characters such as Woody Woodpecker, Winnie the Pooh and Betty Boop spent the morning at La Muntanyeta Centre and the afternoon at the Joan XXIII Hospital to deliver dreams, smiles and presents to the children and teenagers, who were greatly excited and surprised at this unexpected visit. The visit by the PortAventura characters was also well received by the healthcare and teaching staff at both centres, who all enjoyed a day out of the ordinary.

With this initiative, Fundació PortAventura wanted to bring the joy of the Christmas holidays to children with special educational needs and to those unable to visit the theme park personally, where Christmas is celebrated with numerous shows and performances, right up to 9th January.

The organisation of this event was assisted by a group of PortAventura volunteers, who took some time out of their regular schedules to support this project, and also by some service providers who wanted to be a part of this joint initiative.

This event was outlined in the plan of action that Fundació PortAventura started to implement last September with the aim of supporting the integration of groups at risk of social exclusion, especially children and young people.