Half a thousand people will lead the third solidarity walk in Torremolinos to raise awareness of autism.

On the eve of World Autism Awareness Day, celebrated every April 2nd, it's a good time to remember that ... this condition affects 20,000 people just in the province of Málaga. Therefore, to clearly illustrate the scale of this reality, the 'Torremolinos TEAcompaña' Solidarity Walk will be organized again, a proposal for healthy leisure activities, whose proceeds have clear objectives, marking its third edition this year under the slogan 'Different steps, the same destination'.

According to figures from the first two editions, the organization is confident that participation will reach half a thousand people, residents of the coastal city and others from various municipalities of Málaga, who will color the main streets of Torremolinos blue, wearing the official jersey of this sports, solidarity, and family event. Easter will delay this massive walk by a few days, scheduled for Saturday, April 11th in the morning. The route will vary compared to previous editions, although it will not lose its essence in terms of landmark, pedestrian, and accessible spaces for people with reduced mobility or strollers.

Solidarity bibs are already on sale through the Entradium platform. They cost five euros, and there are options to supplement the donation with T-shirts or blue scarves, as well as a Row 0. The proceeds will go towards funding occupational therapy sessions from the TEAcompaño Association, the organizer of the walk. The project is estimated at 15,000 euros and aims to provide free care, in three shifts per week, to boys and girls of the association during the school year (from September to June).

The 'Torremolinos TEAcompaña' Solidarity Walk will start with a gathering from 10:00 AM at the Plaza de Andalucía, where previously purchased bibs and T-shirts can be collected. This main spot in Torremolinos will be the starting point at 10:30 AM, then passing through the Plaza de la Unión Europea, San Miguel Street, Joan Miró Avenue, and Fernando de Prado Street to conclude in front of the Town Hall, where a manifesto will be read and performances will take place.

Coexistence

On the day of the walk, there will also be a gathering at the Molino de Inca Botanical Garden, starting at 12:30 PM. There, an awareness day about autism organized by the Municipality will take place, featuring various activities with participation from associations from the province. There will be bars for food and refreshments, as well as bouncy castles and games for all children, whether they have disabilities or not, to enjoy together.

The activity, which has the collaboration of the Torremolinos City Council and the 'la Caixa' Foundation, and is sponsored by Aguas de Torremolinos, Martinsa Motor, Caléndula, and Café Kuduro, is part of the events held for World Autism Day and aims to raise visibility and provide tools for the inclusion of this group.

The Walk was presented this morning at the Isabel Manoja Community Development Center in Torremolinos with many families from the TEAcompaño Association in attendance. "This is one of the most special dates on our municipal calendar. We hope that hundreds of residents will fill our streets with blue in a day that will not only be sporty but also social and humane. We encourage everyone to once again show that Torremolinos works for inclusion," said Gloria Manoja, Councilor for Social Welfare and Social Affairs of the Torremolinos City Council.

For her part, the president of the TEAcompaño Association, Deseada Tejera, expressed: "For us as families, this walk is much more than an event; it is a reflection of who we are and what we fight for every day. We have been mobilizing our town for three years now. The proceeds from this walk are destined to provide free therapies for our children with the technical collaboration of the South Autism Foundation." And she concluded: "We are families who one day decided that we are the ones who move the world, and we will continue to do so next April 11th."