A DAY FOR THEM AND FOR US
On September 26, the Douro Marina hosted another BBDouro event: the Solidarity Open Day. An initiative associated with the BBDouro ForALL brand and its solidarity sailing project, on a day dedicated to sharing smiles, adventures and, above all, solidarity.
Open Days are nothing new for BBDouro and our community, but this one was a first. We wanted to dedicate a day of sailing exclusively to children and adults from social institutions, giving them the unique opportunity to experience the magic of this sport first hand. This wasn’t just a day of leisure; it was a day of inclusion, overcoming challenges and genuine human connections.
Participation in this special day was by invitation only. João Pinto Ribeiro, who is responsible for the BBDouro ForALL brand and its projects, contacted various institutions in our community, ensuring that those who could most benefit from this unique experience were invited.
A SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVE
The “Solidarity Open Day” wasn’t just an event. It was also a social responsibility initiative for all BBDouro employees. No external skippers or crews were hired to carry out the event’s sailing trips; instead, the entire office and operations team took responsibility and guaranteed an unforgettable day for each of their groups. From the preparations to the sailing itself, every aspect of the event was handled in-house, showing BBDouro’s commitment to the cause.
In all, 65 people took part in this unforgettable day of sailing. We used three boats for the event: the Inclusive Catamaran Lusíadas ForALL and two Beneteau First 7.5. Each outing on the boats was more than an adventure; it was a journey of discovery, where physical barriers were overcome and where we shared the helm, and learned many lessons, with our guests.
A TANGIBLE MEMORY OF SOLIDARITY
At the end of each tour, all participants received a mini INCA Lusíadas ForALL, a surprise not only for the guests, but also for our entire team. A memory that everyone will keep of this special day and of the importance of initiatives like this.
The INCA Lusíadas ForALL is more than a boat; it is a symbol of inclusion and hope. As the first adapted sailing catamaran developed in Portugal, fully adapted to the needs of people with motor and/or cognitive disabilities and their carers or family members, it embodies our ongoing commitment to inclusion.
This “Solidarity Open Day” wasn’t just about first time sailing experiences; it was about building bridges between communities, breaking down stigmas and, above all, showing that together we can overcome any challenge. At BBDouro, we couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to share this special adventure with incredible people who teach us the true meaning of solidarity.
BBDOURO FORALL AND OUR SOLIDARITY SAILING PROJECT
BBDouro ForALL is an extension of the BBDouro brand, created in 2014 with the aim of promoting social projects. As well as broadening the brand’s reach and strengthening its value, BBDouro ForALL has introduced a new aspect of social responsibility to the company’s portfolio, opening the door to other organizations wishing to join the various projects that make up BBDouro ForALL.
Under the ForALL banner, we have developed two projects: Solidarity Sailing and Sailing Without Barriers. The Solidarity Sailing project, which included our Solidarity Open Day this year, aims to use the sport of sailing as a facilitating tool, and to raise levels of socialization, tolerance, self-esteem and communication, contributing to the construction of more realistic and concrete life goals for all participants.
