The energy company EDP, following its commitment of being the people’s energy, has called the first indoor solidary race #EDPEchaUnCable for the following Sunday, April November, from 10:00.

During this race, sponsored by the world’s marathon’s champion Martín Fiz, the steps of all participants will be transformed into financial support, destined to Cruz Roja’s Plan RESPONDE, specifically to the employment area of this project, which goal is to alleviate the economic and employability impact in society, caused by the coronavirus crisis.

To take part in the race, citizens wanting to join this solidary initiative only need to upload to their social media an image of the device that they normally use as pedometer, showing the number of steps taken, both running or walking, and adding the hashtag #EDPEchaUnCable and the number of steps achieved (for example: #1000PasosDeEnergía if they have reached 1 000 steps during the race’s time).

In order to fire the starting gun of this action, EDP will begin contributing an initial help of 2 million steps, equivalent to a donation of 10 000€. All steps will be adding up and unlocking different sections, equivalent to a quantity to donate by the energy company, until reaching the 10 million steps goal between all participants.

The donation, obtained thanks to society’s participation, will be entirely destined to projects related to the employment improvement, included in Cruz Roja’s Plan RESPONDE. Through this project, tasks of employment opportunities’ research will be carried out, as well as job orientation and online training actions for more vulnerable people. Thanks to the plan launched by Spanish Cruz Roja, more than 16 000 people will be supported in terms of employment.

This initiative follows EDP commitment with sport, having been for a few years the main sponsor of the most important popular races and marathons in Spain. Moreover, Martín Fiz, official ambassador of the race, will be giving advices both to confront this event and to keep in shape during lockdown, the following Thursday, April 16, at 13:00, on the Instagram profile @energia.edp during an interview with Cristina Mitre, journalist and ambassador of the platform Synchronized.

“In a moment like this, we have to proof more than ever that we are the people’s energy, and therefore we cannot think of a better way to keep with our running engagement and allow thus all society to transform their steps into help to fight against coronavirus,” exposes Javier Sáenz de Jubera, Director-General Manager of EDP Spain.

“From our experience, in Cruz Roja we know that, in extraordinary situations like the one we are living, everyone’s collaboration and contribution is crucial. The COVID-19 pandemic is leaving a situation of vulnerability in all areas of society that requires a comprehensive intervention, as well as knowing how to articulate it effectively and efficiently so that it reaches as quickly as possible, in the best way, and the greatest number of people possible, without any discrimination whatsoever. That is why we feel extremely thankful to the ones joining Cruz Roja’s Plan RESPONDE, a plan that is for all of us, so that we get to overcome this crisis”, states Javier Senent, president of the Spanish Cruz Roja.

During the day of the race, it will be possible to get to know the exact number of steps generated, and continue the donation obtained through the web: https://experienciasedp.com/running/edpechauncable