The municipal pools of Es Vinyet in Andratx were the setting this Sunday for the 'Drench Yourself for Multiple Sclerosis' campaign, which brought together dozens of locals to raise awareness of the disease and collect funds for research.
A solidarity splash brought awareness to the Es Vinyet pools this Sunday. The initiative 'Drench Yourself for Multiple Sclerosis' called on residents of Andratx and surrounding areas for a day that combined sport, solidarity, and advocacy. The event, held annually, aims to raise awareness of a neurodegenerative disease that affects around 5,000 people in the Balearics, according to government data.
Mass Participation from Early Morning
From nine in the morning, attendance was constant. Entire families, groups of friends, and affected individuals joined in the traditional collective swim, the symbolic gesture that gives the campaign its name. The Andratx Town Hall, in a statement, celebrated the community response: "Participation has exceeded expectations, demonstrating our municipality's sensitivity towards this cause."
Next to the pool, the organising association set up a sales point for promotional items — T-shirts, towels, and other products — with all proceeds going to patient care programmes and research projects. In previous years, local fundraising has financed rehabilitation equipment and study scholarships, according to sources from the organisation.
Institutional Support and Community Commitment
The event was attended by the first deputy mayor of Andratx, Joan Forteza, and other council members, as well as PP deputy Anabel Curtó. Forteza took the floor to emphasise the value of the initiative: "It is much more than a charity day. It is a demonstration of the commitment of the residents of Andratx to those living with multiple sclerosis. The Town Hall will continue to support all initiatives that help raise awareness of this disease and promote research," he stated.
The councillor reminded attendees that the Town Hall collaborates by providing municipal facilities and logistical support staff, a gesture that the organisation publicly appreciated. For attendees, the day had an added emotional component: "Coming here, seeing so many people united, gives you strength to keep fighting every day," commented an affected resident who preferred to remain anonymous.
A Silent Disease That Needs More Research
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that manifests with variable symptoms: fatigue, mobility issues, visual disturbances, or cognitive difficulties. In the Balearics, it is estimated that around 5,000 people suffer from it, a figure that, according to specialists, may be underdiagnosed. Research is key to slowing its progression, but funding remains insufficient.
That’s why every euro counts. The charity sale in Andratx adds to the fundraising efforts of other locations participating in the same national campaign. The money raised will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, which funds basic and clinical research projects, as well as psychological and social support services for patients and families.
For the residents of Andratx, the event has become a summer tradition that goes beyond swimming. "It’s a day to remember that they are not alone," summarised one of the organisers. The next edition is scheduled for the first Sunday of July 2027, although the association has already announced that they will repeat the charity sales point during the patronal festivities.
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