Fabrice and Briac, the Beijing Express duo, stop in Lourdes as part of the Fabrice Tour, a tour of France intended to raise awareness of the fight against cancer, for the League.
“I have always admired you a lot and still admire you. I find that you have not changed!” Welcomes with a smile Monique Lathoud, hospitable from Savoie, as every year for forty years and who is staying at the Helgon hotel. .
Here, the truck which follows them and which allows both to drive in relay.
With the same smile, Fabrice, emblematic adventurer of Beijing Express, returns to him: “I have aged a little… But I haven’t changed, we like what we do! Freedom was a little stressed. We carries everywhere. The first time I came here, she was barely weaned and was six months old!” At his feet, the little dog is resting after a journey that took them from Auch to Lourdes.
The mayor, caregiver, and his municipal councilor discussed with the two men about the management of cancer.
A stage carried out as part of the Fabriac Tour: the duo that the fifty-year-old forms with Briac, 25, as part of the M6 television program, has reunited for a good cause. Both are touring France according to the Beijing Express formula: they sleep with locals, but, above all, raise awareness of the fight against cancer for the League against Cancer.
“We need ambassadors like you!”
This Wednesday evening, they therefore put their suitcases at the hotel on rue Massabielle for the second time. Their first round had already taken them to Didier Pouey’s establishment, run by François Campagnet. At the reception of the establishment, also awaiting them Madeleine Navarro, who represents the League, as well as Philippe Subercazes, but also Ghislaine Metois, general secretary of Lourdes Cancer Espérance and Philippe Cabidoche, delegate of the pilgrimage of the smile for the Hautes-Pyrénées.
The Hautes-Pyrénées committee also announced the opening of two new branches.
Thierry Lavit, the mayor, accompanied by Julien Lemaître, councilor delegated to Trade, also comes to greet them. The city councilor congratulates them: “I come out of 2h30 of territorial health council. We also mentioned the care of cancers. You give your time to promote this fight and donations. If research is progressing, it is thanks to that. We need ambassadors like you!” A message heard by the establishment, which printed a QR code encouraging donations, placed on the reception tables.
The Helgon Hotel was happy to host the team free of charge.
Madeleine Navarro completes: “Your presence is as important for research as for supportive care. We support patients and their families with psychology, socio-aesthetic sessions, adapted physical activity and financial aid.” Care that will now be offered for patients in the Vic-en-Bigorre and Argelès-Gazost sectors, where two new branches are to be opened.
80 League committees visited
The two men went to 80 provincial committees out of 104… A major investment, for a cause that concerns them directly. Fabrice still remembers the shock caused by his mother’s cancer and her double mastectomy. A few days ago, he also learned that a friend didn’t have much longer.
A hospitable from Savoie and a fan of the two adventurers!
Fabrice is happy to return to the Marian city. “Every time I go to the shrine, it does something to me,” says the non-practitioner but a believer. The mayor does not forget to slip in to them: “Lourdes is the fraternal city, the city of the sick and the vulnerable. By coming here, you put a spotlight on the city.”
This Thursday, the two men intend to challenge the Col de Spandelles. Their journey will end in June. But, already, the memories are numerous. Briac is used to travelling, but often abroad. With this tour, he is “happy to discover our region”.
Not to mention the many meetings on the agenda: Iftar celebrated with Muslims; shared raclette in Switzerland; the ascent of the Alpes d’Huez with the ultra-trailer Mathieu Blanchard; sharing it with other Beijing Express adventurers… An adventure that continues to be written.