Two Young People from Sant Cugat Begin Solidarity Trip to Morocco for Uniraid 2026

Samuel Renaud and Ricard Mestre are transporting used glasses and humanitarian aid collected with municipal support.

An old utility van loaded with solidarity material driving on a dirt track in a desert landscape.
IA

An old utility van loaded with solidarity material driving on a dirt track in a desert landscape.

Samuel Renaud and Ricard Mestre, residents of Sant Cugat, have started their journey to Morocco to take part in Uniraid 2026, a solidarity amateur rally held from February 7 to 14.

The initiative, which follows old Paris-Dakar routes, has a strong charitable focus and is supported by the Sant Cugat City Council. The main sponsorship comes from Òptica Mira-sol, which organized a campaign to collect used glasses from citizens.
These glasses, previously checked and adapted, are part of the humanitarian cargo that the young men are transporting to deliver to vulnerable populations in southern Morocco. The vehicle used is a reconditioned Citroën C15 van, nicknamed 'El furgón de Troya' (The Trojan Van).

"Participating in the Uniraid is already a unique experience, but doing it while carrying material that can improve the quality of life of many people gives it a special meaning."

Samuel Renaud and Ricard Mestre · Uniraid Participants
The project does not end with the race; it will continue throughout 2026 with talks in Sant Cugat high schools to share the experience and promote values of social commitment and cooperation. Citizens can still collaborate by dropping off glasses at Òptica Mira-sol or solidarity material at the Casal de Mira-sol during February.