International Women’s Day gave members of Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) the perfect opportunity to celebrate with friends and special lady guests with a fund-raising lunch and fashion show sponsored by The Conrad Algarve Hotel and Cotton Lovers Outlet, Almancil.
A total of 3,000 euros was raised by ticket sales and a silent auction with prizes donated by local companies. The ‘highlight’ of the lunch was a catwalk performance by assistant district Rotary Governor Hermes Alberto which raised a few laughs and 452 euros of the total.
The chosen charity was Apoio à Vitima (APAV), an association which works tirelessly to help primarily women victims of crime and women who have been trafficked into Portugal. These women are taken to a safe house; the location of which is of necessity secret.
AIRC was given a list of items desperately needed for the women personally and for the house and chair of Community Services Peter Hinze, together with two ladies from APAV went shopping and bought toiletries, towels, pots and pans, cutlery and bedding. With so much money raised they were also able to purchase a dishwasher, microwave oven, kettle and bread maker.
“We are so grateful to all the members and guests who joined us for the lunch” said Peter Hinze. “We didn’t expect so much generosity. It was clear that everyone was moved by the plight of these ladies and donated accordingly”.
