Castro Marim council donates firework money to Madeira

Paul Rees 14 August 2016

The good councillors of Castro Marim council are a thoughtful lot and have decided to suspend the use of fireworks at two of the council’s main cultural events and instead donate the money saved to Madeira, in solidarity with those affected by the recent devastating fires in Funchal.

"The Municipal Council of Castro Marim today cancelled the fire firework programme at two of its largest cultural events - Festas em Honra de N. Sra. dos Mártires and Dias Medievais.

“This is to help the people of Madeira affected by the scourge of fire," according to the council’s Facebook page.

Francisco Amaral, the mayor of Castro Marim, feels a great responsibility and need to support these populations, adding that it is vital that forest protection be "considered seriously and as a priority" and that those found to have deliberately set fires should be punished.

Comments

-1 #4 Peter Booker 2016-08-16 10:13

David Stretton shows a touching belief in altruism. Altruism with somebody else´s money, that is. Can the President of Castro Marim not find worthy causes within his own council area to spend this public money?

+2 #3 Kathy Clark 2016-08-16 08:55

As a resident in Portugal it is beyond most of us that fireworks are allowed in the dry season. Only a crazy person could even consider it. A previous statistic was that 95% of fires are started by humans, deliberate, negligence or stupidity. but we are still getting so many of them. WHY? I know that to police any restrictions is difficult and so we have to rely on public notification of wrongdoings. I have watched as people sob while their lives go up in flames. The valiant efforts of the predominantly volunteer firefighters has my full praise as they strive to save our lives and our belongings! Kathy

+2 #2 David Stretton 2016-08-15 22:50

Peter Booker - Why the snide insinuation thinly disguised as a question? It is a simple, kind, and very thoughtful gesture. I'm sorry for you that couldn't see that.

+1 #1 Peter Booker 2016-08-15 07:51

Fireworks during a hot and dry summer must be considered a fire hazard. Has Amaral been advised by the bombeiros that such a display is irresponsible, and has then made a virtue of necessity?

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