A group of well-known singers and musicians from the Algarve has published a Christmas CD in aid of two of the region’s worthy causes.
The CD aims to raise funds for the Peta Birch Community Association, a local charity that, among other things, supports children in the homes of Santa Casa da Misericórdia Albufeira, Gaivota and Pirilampos, and the Algarve Oncology Association (AOA) that fights against cancer. One of the important projects of the AOA is the construction of Casa Flor das Dunas, a hostel for patients undergoing radiotherapy at its Faro unit.
The Christmas album will not be sold; instead, people will be invited to make a donation in return for a copy. The CDs will be available at various events and venues leading up to Christmas. For example, you can make a donation and collect your copy of the CD at Galeria Arte in Lagoa.
The CD, with the simple title “Merry Christmas – Feliz Natal” features a mix of 14 new and traditional English, Portuguese and German Christmas songs. The majority of artists taking part in the project are professional musicians who have given their services for free.
Among them are Filipa Sousa, the Portuguese candidate for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, the Austrian-born international singer Dagmar Koller, Pinky Steede, who also performs on stages all over the world, Dutch singer Ilze van Zanten, the Algarve’s Ideias do Levante Choir with Carla Pontes and the Fado singer César Matoso.
The CD artwork has been created by the well-known artist Joana Rosa Bragança from Olhão
.
For further information about the CD, or to talk about your ideas for supporting the fundraising at your own event or venue (a Christmas bazaar, a Charity dinner, an exhibition, a restaurant etc.) please contact Dirk Schubert – 289 501 104.
About the charities
The Peta Birch Community Association
Peta Birch moved to the Algarve in the 70s. She was responsible for setting up Amigos das Crianças (Friends of the Children) in 1995 .The funds raised by the Amigos have helped to provide clothing, bedding, dental and optical care, as well as an improved quality of life for both the Pirilampos young children, and Gaivota teenage children.
She also helped with the Casa do Paz, a facility that houses disabled people. Sadly, Peta died in a tragic accident in 2013, but her family have continued her charity work in the Algarve.
You can read more about the Peta Birch Community Association at http://www.petabirch.org
Associação Oncológica do Algarve (AOA)
The Algarve Oncology Association is a non-profit private institution, established to provide support to oncology patients. To date, the association has funded the construction of a Radiotherapy Centre in Faro and has established the Breast Screening Programme Mobile Unit. In addition, the charity provides valuable psychological and practical support to oncology patients and their families.
You can read more about AOA at http://www.aoa.pt
