CASA-Albufeira, an association supporting homeless people, has received a €2,852 donation from the organisers of the Albufeira Basketball Festival, one of the biggest sporting events for young athletes in the Algarve.
A total of 1,426 people took part in the event including players, coaches and other staff members between April 11 and 16. Each one of them donated €2 to the cause.
Sónia Pinto, coordinator and volunteer at CASA-Albufeira, told Barlavento newspaper that they were “grateful for this precious donation” and that the money will be used to buy food and help pay towards maintenance costs.
The number of homeless people supported by the charity has been increasing.
Manuel Fernandes, president of the national basketball federation (FPB), said he was delighted to be able to help.
While the event provides moments of “fun and interaction” for the young basketball players, aged 14 to 16, Fernandes said that it also calls on them to show their “solidarity”.
Albufeira mayor José Carlos Rolo also applauded the initiative, saying that “society does not exist without volunteer work. It is important to recognise those who volunteer their time to worthy causes”.
While the donated money will be a “huge help”, Sónia Pinto says the charity needs more volunteers as it is serving 60 daily meals and “functioning at the limit of its capacity”.
Volunteers are needed to take meals to the homeless and to work at the charity’s headquarters on Estrada Vale de Pedras on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Photo: JOÃO CHAMBINO/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
