A very big thank you to everyone who supported this years Backpack Drive for children returning to school. The calls of help for backpack donations from organisations across the Algarve were answered with record support of the campaign, now in its 9th year.

A Family Fun Day organized by a West Coast community association has helped to make the life of a family with a severely disabled child just a little easier.

Some of the funds raised from the event staged by AMOVATE (The Association of Residents and Friends of Vale da Telha) outside Aljezur have been used to buy all of the fittings required for a new wetroom for two year-old toddler Diego Messias Pedrosa who is suffering from cerebral palsy.

‘Challenging but an amazing experience’ was the verdict of the majority of the 80 golfers who took part last Saturday (28th August) in the RCEPI Charity Golf tournament over the prestigious Monte Rei Golf and Country Club Course in the Eastern Algarve, near Santa Rosa. 

The impressive sum of €9845 was raised on August the 15th 2015 for two regional charities – CRACEP Portimão and Refúgio Aboim Ascensão in Faro.

86 golf players took part in the event and enjoyed a delicious gala buffet dinner, all with the aim of raising money for those in need.

This year marks the 30th year in business for Bev Gibbons and her Pinetrees Riding Centre, Almancil.

The anniversary was celebrated in both July and August with local clients and holiday guests with two fun events consisting of fancy dress, a challenging obstacle course, followed by clear round jumping.

Children’s charity ACCA, with the help of funds raised by the recent Conrad Bike Ride, has been able to give freedom and support to little Beatriz, age 2 1/2, who lives in Quarteria with her parents. She now has a new pushchair, but one that can do far more than the norm!

Children’s charity ACCA is entering its third year as provider of basic equipment for school children. With your help the programme can give hundreds of youngsters who are on the poverty line a proper start and the opportunity to make the best of their education

There are so many things we take for granted and have never considered what it is like, for example, for a child to start the new school year without essentials such as pencils, rubbers and rulers.
The State schools here on the Algarve cope admirably with their young pupils and the staff are committed to improving their charges’ chances in life. Teachers cannot, however, combat conditions at home, where there may be abuse, alcoholism, drug dependency or a simple lack of interest. Many parents themselves are ill-educated and do not know how to help their own children – to them education is not a priority, putting food in the mouth is.

In a bid to raise funds for the Algarve’s children’s charity ACCA, Bob Beatson, Captain of the Carvoeiro Golf and Country Club, undertook an arduous 400km sponsored walk in Scotland

Bob Beatson started his ambitious walk in the Isle of Skye on 4 July and hopes to arrive at Edinburgh within a couple of weeks. Members of his club here have been generous with their support, sponsoring his journey and raising money for ACCA’s worthy causes. Captain Bob and Pauline, his lady Captain, are staunch supporters of the charity and have worked tirelessly to generate donations totaling some €2,000 even before the sponsored walk was mooted.