The 31st Telethon has raised 75.6 million euros in pledges for research on rare diseases, down compared to 2016. But donations are still possible.
The 31st Telethon has raised 75.6 million in pledges donation for research on rare diseases, down compared to 2016, the charity marathon slowed during the tribute to Johnny Hallyday.
Launched by the song from Johnny “Je te promets,” the telethon ended after 2 hours in the night from Saturday to Sunday on a total of 75,616,180 euros in pledges.
In 2016 at the same time, the telethon had raised 80.31 million euros in pledges.
“The counter continues,” stressed Laurence Tiennot-Herment, president of the organizing association, AFM-Telethon, citing “a particularly difficult context.”
“France was in mourning. We know that France who cried Johnny Hallyday is largely one that also provides for the Telethon. It is understandable that the French had no head for that. I’m sure they will complete in the coming days, this counter is not at the same level as last year”
Because of the broadcast by France 2 of the “popular tribute” to Johnny Hallyday, the Telethon program switched to France 5 for part of the afternoon.
While in mid-morning, the amount of pledges was slightly higher than last year (7.85 million against 7.63 at 10 am at the same time in 2016), in mid-afternoon, the donations were falling behind: 21.45 million at 4pm, against 23.29 at the same time in 2016. at 6pm, the meter showed 28.65 million, or 4% less than last year, according to organisers.
The president of the AFM placed this 31st edition sponsored “heart” of the “teen idol” who had twice participated in the Telethon:
“Zazie is our godmother, but Johnny is somewhere our godfather of heart, we think very highly of him and all the very positive messages that we could pass”
A context of declining donations
Fans of the singer, starting in Alsace bus to attend the tribute to Paris, decided to add 5 euros to the ticket price and donate to the telethon, which raises funds for research into diseases rare.
The donations, tax deductible to 66%, may continue to be made by phone by calling 3637 or on the website www.telethon.fr
Last year, the telethon had raised the final € 92.7 million against 94 million in 2015, 92 in 2014 and 89 in 2013, in a context of declining donations.
In 2016, the number of households that reported to the tax authorities a donation to an association (5.28 million) fell more than 4% compared to 2015, when he was little changed in ten years, according to the barometer network generosity Research and Solidarity, published on Monday in the Cross .
Beyond issues related to research, the Telethon is a popular and festive event to share: during 30 hours it mobilized 200,000 volunteers, no fewer than 20,000 local entertainment.
Challenges and exploits chained themselves. Among the most spectacular Nathan Paulin has crossed a tightrope walker on a hanging strap 70 meters high 670 meters from the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero. “This is the longest highline crossing performed in urban areas”, assured the organizers
