Silves and Portimão councils are each hosting a walk/run event on Sunday (May 7) to raise money for their local fire stations.
The ‘Silves Tour’ starts at 9.30am at the town’s municipal pools. There will be many ways people can take part and many routes to choose from starting at 5km and ending at 24km.
Walking, running, cycling and skating are only some of the ways people can complete the trails.
Admission is free but t-shirts will be sold at the event for €5, with proceeds going to Silves fire station. Further donations can also be made at the event or at the station.
In Portimão, the walk/run will begin at 9.30am, again at the town’s fire station. Anyone can sign up at the venue or parish council for €5.
Walkers have a 6km route waiting for them, while the race will be longer (10kms).
Algarve lacks 300 firefighters
Silves fire commander Luís Simões has echoed the message sent out by Monchique mayor some weeks ago that the Algarve is lacking “at least 300 firefighters”.
Though the station is decently equipped, the “lack of incentives and motivation” for younger firefighters is one of the principal reasons for low numbers, he told Jornal Barlavento.
During the Silves Tour, the town’s fire brigade will be focused on encouraging young people to consider fire-fighting.
