When the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firemen of São Brás de Alportel (Bombeiros) held their annual Christmas party on December 14th there was much to celebrate. On December 12th members of the Bombeiros and Ian Lowe of the Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) drove to Porto to receive delivery of a much needed new ambulance donated by RCEPI.

Last Saturday, 7th December, 2013 more than one hundred Father Christmases took part in the second Armação de Pêra Father Christmas walk.

Sunshine and blue skies were the backdrop for the bright red Father Christmas suits.

Many thanks to all who participated in the 9th Annual Shoebox Drive for the Elderly - more than one hundred and twenty filled shoeboxes will be delivered by Castelo de Sonhos to needy elderly people of Silves this Christmas. 

Special thanks go to Balaia Golf Club ( 2 members pictured),  and to the Central Ladies Algarve Lunch Club. 

For more information about Castelo de Sonhos please contact Celia Mossman on 282 332 665.

Following the well publicised Bingo gambling case in Albufeira where a number of people earlier this year were unwittingly involved in illegal gambling.

Tthe media, the Consulate, the local police, the tourist board and Safe Communities Algarve (SCA) received a number of enquiries about what exactly were the laws covering various gambling and gaming activities and whether or not these were legal.

In keeping with its policy of supporting local charitable organisations, Almancil International Rotary Club AIRC) has donated €500 to the Banco Alimentar (food bank) based in Faro.   At a recent meeting of the club Susana Guerreiro (BA public image coordinator) spoke about the work of the food bank and the constant need for funds. It isn’t until someone like Susana explains just how much the food bank does that we can really appreciate the enormity of the problems, financial needs and logistics they face. 

Do I need to say just how amazing the people of Portugal are? This year another record was broken when no less than 1,924 Shoe Boxes, full of small gifts, have been sent to children living in poor situations and who would possibly not have a present at Christmas.  These simple gifts make a world of difference.  Please read on to see just how big that difference can be.

This week I had a letter from Jill Kinsey.  Many of you will know her.  She runs two Children’s Centres in Lesotho.

Jill wrote telling me the horrendous story of a little boy who had been brought to the centre at Pulane. His name was Semphiwe.

On 29th October in the region of €450 euros worth of food was delivered to Liliana at Castello do Sonhos, all separated into individual carrier bags ready to be distributed to those that need help.

Special thanks goes to Damien at Intermarché for helping FLIC achieve our aim by also donating 40 tins of brown beans and 40 carrier bags, it was very much appreciated.

The funds were raised by very kind donations at the FLIC's Summer Surf party, once again thank you everyone for your support.

Is the dog in the photo yours? He was following cars… cars with loud sounding engines. But he was still waiting for you, and would not let us catch him. But then he went racing after a big man… we thought for a while it was maybe you… but the man got in his car and left…

So we just thought you should know....your dog is NOT ok. For a while he hoped and he waited for you, but now he has given up and his heart has broken.