On track for MIRA

While the Formula 1 cars were swarming round the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, an equally exciting race took place last Friday at the Granby autodrome.  Foundation Mira’s Défi-Vision, the 2004 edition, brought together more than thirty personalities who had the job of guiding the non-sighted drivers with whom they were twinned.

Fans from Greece, Japan and Australia turn out for Roy Dupuis

It’s due to the role of Michael, which he played in the Toronto series Nikita, that Roy Dupuis was propelled into the ranks of international stardom.  While the actor appreciates the fact that in Quebec his admirers and the press respect his private life and leave him in peace, one should say that things are different abroad, where the Nikita fans maintain a much more enthusiastic relationship with him.

At Défi-Vision a large crowd came to support the numerous stars present, and almost a hundred people were there for Roy Dupuis. Nothing special about that – except that these fans had come specially from Greece, Japan, the United States, Germany and Australia!  Actually, this group was associated with the Mira cause at the actor’s request.

Pierre Noiseux, director of communications for Foundation Mira, told us the whole story, which clearly reveals Roy’s generous nature. “A convention for Nikita fans was organised in Toronto. A lot of Nikita-related goods were sold there, and the profits went to charities chosen by the stars of the programme. Roy has never wanted a fan-club. He told me that he didn’t want gifts from his fans. He told them, ‘If you want to do something for me, help Foundation Mira.’ We began to invite them here, and for four years we’ve been organising trips.”

“There’s a group in California and another in New York,” continues Mr Noiseux. “They organise auctions on ebay (an Internet auction site) of goods related to Roy. Some of our visitors couldn’t even speak English (nor French) and spent three days in Granby. The only things they knew about Quebec were Granby and Roy Dupuis! These are not rich people; were it not for the constraint of airline tickets and all the expense incurred, there wouldn’t be 86 people here, more like thousands!”

During more than six years, over $500,000 has been raised by the two groups of admirers, and good friendships have developed between the fans and the Mira people. Roy Dupuis says he is flattered to know that his fans have made the journey. He even spent several hours in their company after the race. The trip ended with a visit to Foundation Mira and a special screening of their idol’s latest film, Monica la Mitraille.

Several reasons prompted Roy to embrace this cause, the principal being his love of people and animals. “I’ve always loved the idea of uniting animals and human beings,” he said. “There’s something appealing about it: the blending and the mutual aid between species. I have great respect for what the foundation does. I got involved over twelve years ago, and I’m still involved today. The people are always smiling and they are very kind-hearted. I enjoy the race, but it’s quite good afterwards,” concluded the mysterious hunk with a smile.