Algarve Senior Bikers celebrated their 13th anniversary with a ride from Boliqueime to the Gaivota home for children and teenagers home in Albufeira.
The ride was through the countryside north of Benafim with a break for refreshments at the Fontes in Alte.
After the ride the celebrations continued with a BBQ at the home with all the boys and girls at the home, the staff and the ASB members and guests.
A big thank you to all the members who contributed all the food and 'Goodies' for the BBQ, and to good friends Dean and Alex Guinane for taking charge of the grill on the day.
The ASB has supported the home for many years and I am proud to say has raised many thousands of euros for their benefit, in addition to helping to provide items like birthday presents, easter eggs and covering the cost of trips to theme parks etc.
Members' donations are very much appreciated and make such a difference to the lives of all the kids.
I am pleased to announce that as a result of the anniversary celebrations of the Algarve Senior Bikers and the associated fundraising I was able to present Dra Raquel Nunes the director of Gaivota home with the sum of 1200 euros, plus enough cash to cover birthday presents for the next few months.
I understand this funding is to be used to buy new laundry equipment and help with the cost of a camping holiday for the kids later this year.
Since I founded the ASB on Portugal Day in 2010, the membership has grown steadily and it was good to see some of the members who attended the first meeting at this event.
In recent times the ASB has become more diverse with inclusion of the ASB Gravel Road riding group established by Andrew Chilton, and longer 7 day road tours through Spain and Portugal being organised by Walter Kollert.
The usual monthly rides and events continue to be popular and well attended to the point where the numbers have to be divided into smaller, more manageable groups.
These events usually consist of a ride through some of the most scenic areas of the Algarve and Alentejo, with stops for coffee and ending with a social lunch.
If you are interested in joining please check out our website www.algarveseniorbikers.com
David Shirley - ASB organiser