“In the name of the children of the desert, we thank the ACCR (Association Caritative de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs) for having allowed us to make this road trip to meet the youngsters and to test our own limits.

It was tiring, exhausting, joyful, supportive, humanistic, friendly ... a rare and precious experience for all.

Thanks to the efforts of the 4L Trophy participants, 20,000 children have been helped. Meals, school supplies and sports equipment have been distributed. Their joy has made us proud.

Thank you.”

So said the two young men, going under the name “La Grégalade”, who, with the support of the ACCR, participated in the 25th edition of the 4L Trophy journeying from France to Morocco in May.

Both are named Grégoire, 22 years old and students at a top engineering school. They founded “La Grégalade” to help the people from deprived areas. As reported in the 2021 and 2022 editions of the Revue internationale de la Chaîne, they decided to devote part of their holidays to transport food and school supplies to underprivileged children in Morocco.

Each year the support of the “Trophists” helps the association “Enfants du desert” to build schools and classrooms in the most remote villages of the desert. Over the years 25 classrooms have been opened thanks to financial donations from the participants in the rally. Also, each year, 20,000 children in the Drâa-Tafilalet region benefit from school supplies, and sports equipment. Furthermore, three hospitals in south-eastern Morocco receive substantial material support.

The 4L Trophy participants gathered at the Halle d’Iraty, the multi-purpose exhibition and congress centre in Biarritz, ready for the off on May 5th. Postponed from 2021 due to the pandemic, then postponed again from February to May this year, the 4L Trophy would prove to be a very special experience under the sign of reunion and celebration.

To mark the 25th edition the route of the “marathon” stage was reconfigured, the ultimate goal being to offer a route technically adapted to the venerable Renault 4Ls, but also to challenge the young participants.

It must be said that Morocco has been changing in recent years. Roads are being built in the desert to allow remote populations to reach cities more easily. The desert thus becomes more accessible, but it also opens up new horizons.

Highly anticipated but also dreaded, the marathon stage can be summed up in a few words: two days in total autonomy. Between the two a magical evening and a night under the stars bivouacking in the desert.

The journey provided so many opportunities to store up wonderful memories for the two Grégoires but all in a good cause and the ACCR is proud to have been their principal sponsor.

Marie Jones
Managing Editor