When members of Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) heard that staff at Escola EB2,3 Dr. António de Sousa Agostinho in Almancil wanted to set up a surfing scheme for the benefit of students with autism, and that special equipment was needed, they wanted to do something to help.
Surfing can improve fitness; balance and confidence and surfing camps for children with autism have already been set up in a number of countries including Australia, Ireland and Scotland, where the scheme has the blessing of the National Autistic Society. This will be the first of its kind in Portugal.
AIRC member Alice Krings set about planning a car rally to raise funds for the project, whilst at the same time be a lot of fun for the participants.
She persuaded 13 teams with a total of 45 people to take part. The teams met at Karting Almancil where owner Jean-François Escriva allowed some of the more adventurous participants to use the Karts and track free of charge to start the rally off. Then came the rally proper, following Alice's tricky clues which took the teams from Almancil to Estoi and on to Olhão through villages and on roads most people never knew existed.
Half way through the rally the teams were surprised to find Alice had set up camp on a hill in biting wind and pouring rain to provide refreshments. The rally ended at Restaurante Bela Mundo in Almancil, where a welcome lunch was waiting.
Afterwards everyone was presented with a prize for completing the rally, with first prize going to Hermes and Fatima Alberto and Cristina Sales who managed to follow all the clues and answer all the questions.
A total of €290 was raised, which will be used to buy wetsuits for the students.
To make a donation, or to find out more about the Almancil international Rotary Club, please visit:
W: http://www.rotaryalmancil.org/
Facebook: almancilintlrotary
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