PORTUGUESE BANK Banco Espírito Santo (BES) has recently launched a charity appeal, entitled Realizar Mais (accomplish more), to support institutions for underprivileged children.
The bank is pledging to double the amount donated by the general public, therefore, for every euro deposited in the campaign account – NIB 000700230078237000330 – BES will donate two euros to the charities.
The campaign is being developed in partnership with Portuguese television station TVi with the objective to raise awareness among the general public of the existence of children’s homes that are located outside city centres. These homes are often unknown to the majority of people and do not have access to communication resources to raise money.
This joint initiative will mean that funds can be raised to buy essentials such as clothing, toys and other items to encourage the healthy development of children at the Centro Cultural e Social de Santo Adrião, Lar de São Martinho Padre Serra and Casa do Estudante in Beja. The Centro Cultural e Social de Santo Adrião, close to Braga in the north of Portugal, is a temporary care home for 12 boys and girls, aged between five and 18, who have been placed in care following court orders.
The Lar de São Martinho Padre Serra in Coimbra is a public care institution, which was set up to care for the poor and abandoned. It was founded in 1973 by Priest Serra and currently is home to 34 children and young people aged between five and 20. Casa do Estudante in Beja, Alentejo, which was founded by Priest Joaquim Fatela in 1953, is a private charitable institution that cares for 42 children and young people of both sexes, aged from five years old.
Deposits can be made to the BES Realizar Mais account until the end of January 2006. For further information about the campaign, call 218 557 878.
