Essex businessman Andy Mahoney has been honoured by British Prime Minister Theresa May for creating Europe's first specialist special needs holiday centre at Moncarapacho.
Andy was given the Points of Light award, which recognises the UK's outstanding volunteers, after embarking on a personal crusade to help those with special needs experience opportunities previously denied to them due to the lack of adequate facilities. In a personal letter, the Prime Minister congratulated Mr Mahoney on his achievements. "The Centre Algarve you set up is supporting people with special needs and their families to be able to enjoy the experience of visiting a foreign culture in a safe environment. Across the world British volunteers like you are helping to build a better world for everyone. The Points of Light award is a small thank you on behalf of the whole country, in recognition of your exceptional service."
Andy Mahoney, who is very much hands-on and regularly takes time out to visit the centre, said: "I'm honoured to receive the Points of Light award. It is recognition not only for me, but for all the volunteers and staff that have helped make the Centre Algarve such a special place. Our aim is to develop a safe, secure centre in mainland Europe enabling families, schools and groups with special needs to holiday in the knowledge that they have a safe environment with the facilities that they require. With the help of some very special people, we will continue the work of enabling people to have a holiday that they could not normally have. To have had so many people involved is truly inspiring." Kirsty Hayes, the UK's Ambassador to Portugal, said: "I'm delighted that Andy's work has been recognised in this way. For over ten years, Andy has been working with special needs children. It is truly a remarkable initiative and the Prime Minister's Points of Light award is a fitting tribute to Andy's vision and dedication."
Centre Algarve is a remarkable story of how one man has inspired hundreds of volunteers to create a unique facility. Seven years ago a large run down quinta was purchased and the first steps taken in creating Centre Algarve. Andy Mahoney is Managing Director of 24x7Ltd, a company that transports daily, a thousand people with special needs to and from schools and specialist centres throughout the East of England. Digging deep into his pocket and with financial support from his company, Andy established the 24x7 Special Needs Holiday Trust Charity which now oversees the development of this exciting project.
A great deal of thought and planning has gone into the project which features sensory gardens, tranquil areas, a small zoo including meerkats and aviaries where children can feed the birds, education areas, soft play area, outdoor play area, raised planting areas, picnic spots, swimming pool with hoists, shallow pool for young children and specialist disabled bedrooms with adjoining hygiene rooms with ceiling hoists.
Belinda Willis, who manages the centre with her management team, has welcomed volunteers from all corners of the globe including Bulgaria, Germany, Australia, Romania, Ukraine, Netherlands, USA, Ireland and the UK. There are some amazing stories including that of Sue Pedlar who appropriately cycled from Oxford to help; Bronwyn Evans from Melbourne, Australia, who spent ten days volunteering during her six month tour of Europe and Iv Dimitrov from Bulgaria who joined for a year after seeing the centre on the internet.
Andrew Bull, from Germany, installed the latest surveillance equipment to ensure the security and safety of everyone at the centre whilst 57 year-old former England international, Tottenham Hotspur Legend and patron of the Centre Graham Roberts, recently led a team of cyclists who covered over 400kms from Malaga to the Centre and in the process raised some £25,000.
It is these unsung heroes who Andy has enthused to make the dream come true. The final word must go to Andy who said, "After many years of hard work it was a very special moment when the first children arrived and fed the ducks, smelt the flowers and herbs, marvelled at the exotic birds and were able to play in a safe environment.”
To learn more about this amazing project and to discover how you can help go to: www.centrealgarve.org
E: info@centrealgarve.org
Centre Manager Belinda Willis: (00351) 961 917 917
In the UK: Andy Mahoney 01279 816126
UK Registered Charity 1136050
