The West Coast’s annual fancy dress Charity Bar Walk has now raised, in total, more than €13,000 for local good causes. This year’s walk - the fifth - has so far contributed €3,013 to that total after another fun-filled 3.54km (2.2mile) stroll in the sun last month, calling in at a number of bars along the way for liquid refreshment.
Organiser and Vale da Telha resident Cath Baker started the annual event in 2015, basing it on the charity pub crawls held in her hometown of Saddleworth in Lancashire.
This year’s walk began as usual at Restaurante O Paulo on the picturesque Arrifana promontory near the west coast town of Aljezur, with the Restaurante Fonte do Vale in Vale da Telha being the final “watering hole”, where the walkers’ arrival was the signal for a big party with music by Brian DJ Rockindad.
There, prizes were handed out for best male and female costumes, with Helen Sees collecting the ladies prize with her Pamela Anderson outfit, and Bob Packham the best male prize for his Jock the Scot costume.
Organiser Cath and partner Kjell Motel walked as a John Deere tractor (engine seized up) and trailer. They were joined by co-organiser Steve Scott celebrating Bavarian Octoberfest by wearing a barrel (empty) and tap including Bavarian shirt with suitable accompaniments.
Others included Jock the Scot, a Roman soldier, Cowboy Carl, Pamela Anderson, the old maid, big baby, a Sultan with his princess, Uncle Fester, a strawberry and many others.
Cormac Murphy the Sultan, who never disappoints, became the ‘Sultan of Swim’ when he pulled off a “Tom Daly” into the pool at the Arrifana Youth Hostel.
A total of 35 walkers strolled from Restaurant O Paulo at the end point of Arrifana to the Fonte de Vale restaurant at the Pines Roundabout in VdT.
This required several dehydration prevention points on the way which included the Sol e Mar, Brisamar, Hostel, Elska kitchen, A la Bilal, Locanda del gusto, Sector B, Hugo’s Bar and finally The Fonte do Vale.
Cath told us: “The money raised this year will support a 3 year-old boy, Vicente, who was born prematurely and requires treatment to help him sit, and stand and which will give him some quality of life he richly deserves.
“Some of the cash was raised through a raffle once we all gathered at the Fonte do Vale, with prizes generously donated by locals. Then the evening got going with disco music continuously playing with people showing off their dancing skills...or not, whatever the case may be.
“As our contribution to the “Lids For Life” campaign launched for Vicente by other well-wishers, we are also saving plastic and metal bottle tops. People in Vale da Telha and surrounding areas can deposit the bottle tops at the Amovate building (the Old School House) just through Vales as you turn off into VdT. The office is open on Fridays between 16h00 and 17h00.
“The current target is €8.000 for his treatment”.
Cath added: “As usual all establishment supported the event and diners at O Paulo at the start were very generous in their donations, as were many others on the way, not to mention friends back in the UK.
“The Fonte de Vale donated a percentage of their takings which resulted in a further €210 towards the total”.
Donations also came in from:
Amovate, the Vale da Telha residents association; €250
VdT Quiz Group; €200
Line Dancing Group; €125
Paulo at O Paulo, Arrifana; €50
Restaurante Brisamar, Arrifana; €50
