Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) celebrated the end of the Rotary year in grand style on Wednesday last week at the Conrad Algarve hotel in Quinta do Lago.
The meeting was attended by more than 70 members and guests, including the British Vice-Consul Clive Jewell and his deputy Angela Morado, João Martins, President of the Junta de Freguesia of Almancil, Rotary Assistant District Governor João Paulo Sousa, seven Rotary Presidents and representatives from seven other Algarve Rotary clubs.
Outgoing President Volker Biebesheimer provided a summary of all the fun and fundraising activities during his year and reported that more than €3,000 had been given by AIRC to local charities. He said he was delighted to end his year by presenting three further donations for the benefit of local disadvantaged people.
Luis Gonçalves of Renascer o Presente received €500 which will be used to help pay pharmacy bills for some of his clients. Margarida Trindade of UNIR received €500 to help with the excellent facilities provided in Loulé for persons with mental disabilities, and Beverley Gibbons of Pinetrees Riding School received a voucher for €300. This money will be used directly for the benefit of two disabled children and one adult who will each receive 10 therapeutic riding lessons.
As is the custom, President Volker rang the bell to end the meeting and it was immediately rung again to start the new Rotary year with the 2013-2014 President, Dr Raymond Parfait.
Dr Parfait said: “In the Rotary year 2013-2014, Almancil International Rotary Club will strive to increase involvement of all members in a continued effort to support local charitable associations.”
