When the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firemen of São Brás de Alportel (Bombeiros) held their annual Christmas party on December 14th there was much to celebrate. On December 12th members of the Bombeiros and Ian Lowe of the Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) drove to Porto to receive delivery of a much needed new ambulance donated by RCEPI.
To the delight of children attending the Christmas party, the Bombeiros had created a beautiful nativity scene at the fire hall. Measuring approximately three square metres, the miniature scene showed a traditional Portuguese village, complete with figures, situated on the flank of a hill. A lovely castelo sat atop the hill, and further down the mountain the landscape included village houses, terraced fruit orchards, vegetable crops, lighted caves, a waterfall and small river complete with roman bridge. Off to one side the desert was depicted with three wise men outside a Moorish inn, preparing to depart for Bethlehem on their camels. The public is welcome to visit the fire hall and view the nativity scene.
The Christmas Party was an ideal opportunity for RCEPI President Shirley Dunne to present two pieces of equipment purchased by RCEPI, in addition to the ambulance. The first of these is an automated external defibrillator training unit, and the second a portable vital signs monitor, which can be taken from the ambulance into a patient’s home to assess their medical status before moving them.
Following RECPI’s presentation, Sr. David Gonçalves, President of the Junta de Freguesia de São Brás de Alportel, gave a speech thanking the Bombeiros for their work in the community and then presented Sr. Flavio Martins, Presidente of the Bombeiros Direction with a cheque for €5,000.00 towards the purchase of a large generator which is required to run equipment in conditions where electricity is unavailable.
Next Sr.Vitor Guerreiro, Presidente of the Câmara Municipal of de São Brás de Alportel stepped to the microphone to make his remarks on behalf of the Câmara, and he also presented the Bombeiros with a cheque, this time in the amount of €10,000.00, also towards the purchase of the generator.
If all of this were not enough, a lovely surprise occurred when Mrs. Margaret Matterson, came forward and contributed €2,100.00, explaining that her husband Mr. Kenneth Matterson had passed away in late May this year. His family and friends wished to make a donation to the Bombeiros in his memory. It seems the Bombeiros of São Brás will have a Happy Christmas indeed.
Sr.Salvador Gonçalves, Second Commander of the Bombeiros, gave a warm speech thanking everyone for their donations and compassionate support of the Bombeiros, and closed his remarks by inviting all those present to enjoy the food and drink prepared by volunteers for the festivities.
The official dedication and blessing of the Ambulance will be held on January 18th at the fire house in São Brás de Alportel, with dignitaries and supporters of the project attending.
Pictured Left to Right: Salvador Goncalves, second in command of the Bombeiros Operations Team, Amavel Sousa, Treasurer of the Bombeiros Direction, Acácio Martins, Vice President of the Bombeiros Direction, and Shirley Dunne, President of the Rotary Club Estoi Palace International.
Shirley is holding the vital signs monitor and Mr. Goncalves is holding the CPR training unit.
