Algarve-based adult film producer, Viv Thomas, organised a tournament at Benamor Golf in Tavira on 4 July, at which the players have raised an impressive €18,451 to help those struggling with cancer.
At the end of the ‘ChilliBoy Charity Golf Challenge,’ Mr Thomas handed over the cheque to the Algarve Oncological Association’s president, Maria de Lurdes Santos Pereira.
"This is the largest amount that anyone has donated for the benefit of the Algarve Oncological Association," said a visibly moved Sra Pereira, adding that her husband, Dr. Santos Pereira, was one of the founders of the AOA, "the fight against cancer was always an objective of my husband and I followed this fight. Today I feel happy because I know he would be happy too."
The money was donated by the 60-strong group of people who participated in the tournament, many of whom have been affected in some way by the disease through friends or family sufferers.
Maria de Lurdes Santos Pereira said that the Association is doing some great work, "we have a new mobile unit for breast cancer screening, with 3D imaging which is less painful for the woman” and can detect cancers that other type of imaging perhaps would miss.
“We also have the radiotherapy unit with a new linear accelerator which is another big step," added the Association president, saying that, "at this time, the Algarve has the best tools to help and support cancer patients nationally and, I'll almost say, at a European level."
