An Almancil family was so touched by the tragic pictures of the horrendous fires in central Portugal (see story ‘A nation mourns as fires continue’ at portugalresident.com) that they decided to do something for their adopted country.
Vivian Hirst together with daughter Kirsten and Nick Augier and a good friend Bia Martins received sufficient donations in a short period of time to fill three trucks.
Basic goods such as food, water, clothes and blankets, together with other essential items, were taken to Pedrógão Grande last weekend as part of the Emergency Aid Appeal.
Vivian, whose family have a landscape and garden maintenance business, said: “We would like to thank our friends, clients and business associates for their generous donations. It was terribly sad to see the destruction of the area, but it was fantastic to experience, first-hand, the incredible efforts of the firefighters, military and volunteers arriving from all over Portugal to help. We hope to make another trip in a few weeks in co-operation with the Faro Fire department as we have been overwhelmed by people’s kind support.”
The East Algarve Walking Football group heard of the appeal and raised €350 with a bucket collection at their weekly sessions in Olhão and Tavira.
CHRIS WRIGHT
Photo from left: Kirsten Augier, Nick Augier, Bia Martins and Vivian Hirst
