Refúgio Aboim Ascensão and the Portuguese Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Handicapped Persons (APPACDM) will be the two official charities of the 2012 Portugal Masters.
The European Tour Players Foundation (TPF), the charitable arm of The European Tour, will focus on various initiatives during the week to support the two charitable bodies, who have worked tirelessly to help others less fortunate in the Portuguese community.
Spectators attending the popular tournament will be invited to donate a minimum of €3 for the official programme offering the chance to enter a free prize draw for a playing place in next year’s Pro-Am.
All proceeds from this initiative will be shared equally between Refugio Aboim Ascensão and the APPACDM.
Other charitable activities will be announced near the time.
Refúgio Aboim Ascensão is a private internally recognised non-profit Christian Charity organisation working to better the lives of abused, abandoned and neglected children under the age of six.
Dr Luis Villas-Boas, Director of the charity, commented: “This is an extraordinarily meaningful gesture from our friends who are organising the Portugal Masters tournament. On behalf of all the babies and young children at risk, with whom we deal daily, I pray for the Good Lord to bless you all!”
A spokesperson for the APPACDM said: “The APPACDM, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012, was founded in 1962 with a mission to promote the inclusion of people with a disability or incapacity in society, guaranteeing quality of life while respecting the principles that preserve the right to exercise full citizenship.
“Founded in 1962 by Sheila Stilwell and Alice Tavares, this institution spread its wings through all the country, supporting thousands of mentally disabled children and young people.
“Throughout these 50 years, the institution kept the contact with the Stilwell family who were always closely associated with our work. Once again we feel the warmth of this family that proposed us to be involved in this great event such as the Portugal Masters as a recognition of the work we have been developing all these years”.
Peter Adams, Championship Director for the Portugal Masters, said: “This tournament provides a great opportunity to support the outstanding work carried out, locally and nationally, in Portugal by Refúgio Aboim Ascensão and the APPACDM.
“We are delighted to be assisting both organisations through our charity initiatives at the tournament and it is appropriate to support the APPACDM in this their 50th anniversary year of fundraising.
