2024 was a game-changing year for our association J’IRAI VOUS FAIRE VOLER.
Thanks to your amazing generosity and the incredible support from the ATMB Foundation, we’ve made huge strides in making the skies accessible to everyone.
The handiflight chair: a dream taking off
In 2024, the ATMB Foundation gave us a financial boost of €5,000 as part of their program to support local associations. This donation was a game-changer, helping us purchase our handiflight chair – a special piece of equipment that lets people with disabilities experience the joys of paragliding. The chair, decked out in our association’s colors, was recently painted and will be assembled in early January 2025, once our partner Back Bone reopens.
This chair is loaded with comfort features, like a neoprene cocoon to keep you warm, and it’s set to arrive mid-January. But it’s so much more than just a piece of equipment – it’s a promise of adventure and freedom for many.
Exciting events planned for 2025
With this chair, we’re gearing up to organize several handiflight events in 2025. Here’s what we’ve got in store:
- Flying days for children in hospitals in Thonon and Annemasse, in partnership with the association Nos Petites Étoiles.
- An inclusive event for both able-bodied and disabled participants, with the paragliding club of Les Carroz d’Arâches.
- Collaborations with Annecy Handi Bi to share flying days and learn from their experience.
- Other activities with care centers or individuals who’ve shown interest in paragliding flights.
These projects are super exciting, and we’re confident they’ll leave a lasting impact on hearts and minds.
A hopeful financial report
In 2024, we raised €11,645 in donations through our online fundraiser and initiatives like offering tandem flights for donations over €80. Here’s how those funds helped us:
- Bought a brand-new tandem wing.
- Got two passenger harnesses (one for adults, one for kids).
- Financed the handiflight chair.
We still need to raise funds to complete the set with a pilot harness and a reserve parachute – both essential for safe flights. Part of the donations also went towards communication expenses, hosting our website, insurance, and other costs tied to organizing our activities. We’re also planning to invest in a new GoPro camera to capture the unforgettable moments from our events.
An inspiring day with the ATMB Foundation
On November 5, we took part in the association day organized by the ATMB Foundation to celebrate their first anniversary. Here’s what stood out:
- Inspiring exchanges with about 20 other local associations, like Annecy Handi Bi and Yambi, which helps refugees integrate through mountain sports.
- A workshop on social media management to better promote our work.
- Meaningful speeches, including one from our president, Tony:
“Hi everyone, I’m Tony, president of the association J’IRAI VOUS FAIRE VOLER. We started this association earlier this year with a simple yet powerful dream: to make the skies accessible to everyone. Our mission is to give people with disabilities the chance to experience the magic of paragliding, to escape above the clouds – and all of this for free, thanks to the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers.
The support from the ATMB Foundation has been a huge leap forward for us. Thanks to your donation, we were able to purchase a handiflight chair. This chair isn’t just a piece of equipment – it’s a key to unlocking the sky for those who never thought they’d get the chance, a way to turn dreams that once seemed impossible into reality.
We believe everyone deserves the chance to chase their dreams, and thanks to you, more and more people will get to live this one-of-a-kind experience, touch the clouds, and feel the freedom of flying.
So, on behalf of J’IRAI VOUS FAIRE VOLER and everyone who will experience this thanks to you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Presentation video of the association day organized by ATMB
Thank you for your support
None of these achievements would have been possible without you, our donors and partners. Every euro, every gesture matters. Your generosity makes a huge difference in the lives of the people we support.
In 2025, we hope to keep this momentum going and reach new heights.
We’ll keep you updated on upcoming events and our progress. Thank you for continuing to believe in our mission: making dreams take flight! ✨