Do I need to say just how amazing the people of Portugal are? This year another record was broken when no less than 1,924 Shoe Boxes, full of small gifts, have been sent to children living in poor situations and who would possibly not have a present at Christmas.  These simple gifts make a world of difference.  Please read on to see just how big that difference can be.

This week I had a letter from Jill Kinsey.  Many of you will know her.  She runs two Children’s Centres in Lesotho.

Jill wrote telling me the horrendous story of a little boy who had been brought to the centre at Pulane. His name was Semphiwe.

On 29th October in the region of €450 euros worth of food was delivered to Liliana at Castello do Sonhos, all separated into individual carrier bags ready to be distributed to those that need help.

Special thanks goes to Damien at Intermarché for helping FLIC achieve our aim by also donating 40 tins of brown beans and 40 carrier bags, it was very much appreciated.

The funds were raised by very kind donations at the FLIC's Summer Surf party, once again thank you everyone for your support.

Is the dog in the photo yours? He was following cars… cars with loud sounding engines. But he was still waiting for you, and would not let us catch him. But then he went racing after a big man… we thought for a while it was maybe you… but the man got in his car and left…

So we just thought you should know....your dog is NOT ok. For a while he hoped and he waited for you, but now he has given up and his heart has broken.

Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) in association withThe Conrad Algarve recently held a sports fair in the beautiful grounds of the hotel.

Visitors to the fair were given an opportunity to try out various sporting activities including tennis, golf, electric bikes, yoga, Zumba, Pilates and even boot camp classes.

Every year the serving Rotary District 1960 Governor visits each club in the district.  Current Governor Fernando Martins from Rotary Club Palmela has recently been spending time with clubs in the Algarve.  During his official visit to Rotary Club Estoi Palace International, he visited the community projects the club has been involved with during the past year... the ongoing milk project with the Casa do Povo in the Estoi, the refrigerated vehicle recently donated to the Banco Alimentar in Faro, and a tour of the facilities at the volunteer Bombeiros in São Brás de Alportel.

The official charity chosen for the 2013 Portugal Masters played at Vilamoura from October 10-13 was ACCA. The event raised a huge €31,782 !!! This was an amazing result for ACCA, who help children in need in throughout the Algarve.

More than 18 months after the idea for the vehicle was ‘hatched,’ Rotary Club Estoi Palace International, together with other Rotarians in the Algarve and further afield, have delivered the final part of the project to provide a refrigerated lorry for the Banco Alimentar (Food Bank). Last week a shipment of 300 heavy duty plastic boxes for use inside the lorry was received at the Faro facility.

Here is Lawrence Warner - Falling for Madrugada, a fabulous demonstration of courage and determination by the 74 year old.