Casa Marco Simoncelli | Photo credits: Corriere
Inspiring fans while he lived life to its fullest in MotoGP, Marco Simoncelli continues to help others, and on the day he would’ve completed his 32nd birthday, January 20th, the “Casa Marco Simoncelli” opens its doors in Coriano, Italy. This new facility will be used as a center to help people with disabilities.
The Casa Marco Simoncelli is a part of a foundation that holds the name of Marco Simoncelli. This facility occupies an area of 1700 square meters, including special zones to help people recover from their injuries like rehabilitation swimming pools, and areas where those recovering might play games that will help on that recovery.
Not only the Casa Marco Simoncelli is able to accept people with disabilities, but they’ve also got an area with rooms for families.
It took the Marco Simoncelli Foundation nearly 2.2 million euros (around RM 10.334.711) and 5 years to make this project come to life, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the donations that the foundation received from fans through the many different charity events since Marco Simoncelli’s death.
Casa Marco Simoncelli | Photo credits: Cycle World
Kate Fretti, during the inauguration, spoke to Italian website Corsedimoto.com, and explained how all this started with Marco Simoncelli himself
“Marco used to say these people didn’t have many reasons to smile in their situation, but he was fascinated by their lifestyle and said he could only learn with them. When Marco passed away, and when his father Paolo decided to start the Foundation, he took interest in opening the Casa Simoncelli”, commented Kate Fretti, who currently manages the projects for the Marco Simoncelli Foundation.
Many famous faces attended the opening ceremony, including Mattia Pasini, who shared a photo on his Instagram account posing next to the mural depicting Simoncelli’s biggest achievement while racing in MotoGP, the moment he won the 250 cc world title in 2008 at Sepang, the same circuit he would lose his life three years later.
Dorna CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta, was also present at the ceremony, and couldn’t be happier to see how the Simoncelli name continues to inspire and help others
“I’m happy Marco’s family could move on after the tragedy that happened in Sepang. They show great generosity by building this building. I think this center will help a lot of people, and I couldn’t miss out the opening ceremony on his birthday”.