400 Join 12th Marc GG Walk in Andorra to Honor Deceased and Support Bereaved

Nearly 400 people took part in the 12th annual Marc GG Association walk on Saturday morning in Escaldes-Engordany, wearing purple T-shirts—some printed with the names of deceased relatives on the back—under the slogan "Correm per ells" to remember those who have died and support the bereaved.

The 3.5km route, suitable for all ages, started at 10.30am from Prat del Roure, winding through Escaldes-Engordany and Andorra la Vella amid sunny weather and a positive atmosphere. Association president Rosa Galobardes reported strong turnout with around 400 participants on the day, even though 500 to 600 T-shirts and bibs were sold. Others supported remotely due to work or weekend plans. "There is a lot of support from people who collaborate but can't attend because they work or leave for the weekend, but we are very pleased with the turnout," she said before the start.

Attendees recounted personal stories of loss and the group's assistance. Meritxell Nieto joined with family, crediting the association with helping her widowed sister and later herself after her mother's death. "It's also a day of joy to make the association's work visible, because grief is still a difficult topic, and to think of all those who are no longer here," she said. Noelia Blanco has attended yearly since losing her father to cancer five years ago, though she has not used the services.

Escaldes-Engordany's consellera major Rosa Gili and Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Mònica Bonell were among those present. Proceeds from sales will fund bereavement support groups, workshops and talks, followed by a raffle with sponsor donations including hotel stays, spa passes and restaurant vouchers.

Galobardes thanked government and council support but renewed calls for full implementation of the 2023 sudden-death notification protocol, which involved training for police, firefighters and health staff but remains inconsistently applied, according to recent cases received by the group. Hospital palliative care teams manage such situations effectively, she said, but problems continue at SAAS emergency services and beyond. "The news is not being given as it should be: there should be an ambulance, a psychologist, to accompany the person in a corner, and there is no one to do it," she explained. She described cases where families were told abruptly to go home, unable to see loved ones until the next day—sometimes stored in a morgue—compounding their distress. While acknowledging training efforts, she urged activation of a coordinated response involving emergency services and mental health experts. The association, which has advocated on this for over a decade, plans to seek a meeting with the Health Minister.