Cowgirls and cowboys join forces for evening hoedown fundraiser

Cowgirls and cowboys joined forces on Saturday night for a hoedown at Pinetrees Riding Centre, Almancil, to raise funds for projects aimed at improving the lives of local disadvantaged children.

The event was organised by Uschi Kuhn, incoming President of Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC), members and Beverley Gibbons, proprietor of Pinetrees.

More than 80 people attended the event where José Galamba expertly cooked burgers and sausages. Music was provided by country and western singer JJ Johns accompanied by Sue Wilson, with his wife Marya dealing with the technical arrangements.

All the food, prizes and drinks were provided by local businesses. Father Reid Hamilton of the St Vincent’s Anglican Chaplaincy loaned glasses and cutlery. Father Reid even treated the audience to a country and western song himself.

Masako Sadique (Suki) and friends gave a line dancing demonstration and a valiant effort was made by Suki to teach a couple of dances which were later performed by some brave participants including the children who had a great time.

AIRC President, Mark Hulit, said: “The event was only made possible by the generosity of all those who made donations and the time given by Rotarians and friends which made the evening such a great success.”

The event raised more than €1,800 which will be used by AIRC to continue the many ongoing projects benefitting local children.

The evening culminated in the cutting of a giant cake to celebrate the success of the event and Beverley Gibbons’ 34 years in business in the Algarve.
www.rotaryalmancil.org

Photo: From left: Mark Hulit, AIRC President, Beverley Gibbons, Pinetrees Riding Centre, Uschi Kuhn, AIRC, Francesca Wallace, AIRC, and José Galamba, AIRC