The third Monaco Liver Disorder (MLD) Challenge Pétanque, which took place on Sunday in Monaco, raised €10,000 for medical research, with proceeds going towards improving staff facilities at a Paris neonatal unit.

The tournament’s winning team was SGP-sécurité from Beaulieu, consisting of Yves Roux, Moncef, and Marcio Dos Santos, while second place went to the trio of Nathalie Nardone, Jean-Pascal Dominici, and Franck Albanom. Meanwhile the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation team finished third.

Trophies for the competition were designed by artist Jordane Saget.

The funds will support Professor Olivier Baud’s neonatology service at AP-HP Port-Royal Cochin Hospital in Paris, helping to refurbish the relaxation area and kitchen facilities used by medical staff and nurses.

Dual mission of the charity

According to Carla Fadoul Shechter, who founded and heads MLD, the tournament achieves two things: generating resources for medical research and providing families dealing with illness some respite away from hospitals.

“It’s a way to maintain connections between parents, patients, and volunteers, while reminding everyone never to give up.” she said.

The competition included a team created by Grand Cordon d’Or chefs and forms part of MLD’s wider charitable activities. These include taking hospitalised, transplanted, or recovering children to the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, and involvement in the Girù de Natale alongside the Monaco Fire Brigade.

MLD also work to raise awareness about organ donation, which can be life-saving for many young patients. Fadoul Shechter highlighted that transplantation often represents the final treatment option for the most serious conditions, and encouraged the public to consider the importance of donation.

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Main photo credit: Monaco Liver Disorder