MARCO SIMONCELLI would have been 32 last week, and the charitable foundation set up in his name marked his birthday with a very special event. The charity has been working on the 'Casa Marco Simoncelli' - a new day centre for disabled people - for the past five years, and it finally opened on Jan 20th, Super Sic's birth date.
The opening ceremony for the new centre was attended by Simoncelli’s father Paolo, his mother Rossella, fiancée Kate Fretti and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, together with all the project's supporters. The Casa is a day centre created by the 'Dopo di Noi' project, and will provide facilities for people with severe disabilities, and their families with the centre being managed by the local community in Monte Tauro di Coriano near Rimini.
The house, which is more than 1000 square metres in size, can help users with all sorts of disability, and is packed with the latest facilities. The design includes sports facilities and recreational areas, such as a rehabilitation swimming pool, a gym and a specially-equipped playground.
250GP world champion in 2008, Simoncelli died after an accident at the 2011 Malaysian GP at Sepang circuit, cutting short what was sure to have been a glittering career.
For more information, head to the Marco Simoncelli Foundation website.
