Charities on the Costa del Sol and Andalucia
By Dee McMath
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Marbella's Charity Gala dinners |
In Andalucia and especially along the Costa del
Sol, many worthwhile charities do excellent work to help different
groups of society through times of need. From helping sick children
and orphans, sufferers of diseases such as diabetes to giving quality
of life to the terminally ill, there is help at hand. Many of these
organisations include or are even run by international and often
English speaking volunteers and staff. Volunteer work can range
from hands on help for those who need it most, or by helping out
at a charity shop or becoming involved in organising a fun event.
You will see many Gala Dinners and Golf Tournaments advertised on
the Costa del Sol in aid of any one of many worthy causes.
Becoming a volunteer is also a great way to meet
new people of all nationalities, while making a difference to those
who need it. As well as local charities there are also many branches
of international charities, such as the Red Cross, operating along
the Costa del Sol and the whole of Andalucia. On the coast, many
of the local charities are run by English speaking people and often
represent many nationalities. Here are some charities and groups
who may be able to help you, or perhaps you might want to offer
to help them:
AEBE - (Asociación de Epidermolisis Bullosa de España), Att. Evanina M. Makow
C/ Real s/n, Sonjunto Puerto Golf IV 1-C, 29660 Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, Spain
Tel: (0034) 952 816 434. Charity Registration Number: 119.883
E-mail: aebe@aebe-debra.org
AEBE - Butterfly Home Social Project, Att. Patti Senker
C/ Real s/n, Sonjunto Puerto Golf IV 1-C, 29660 Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, Spain
Tel: (0034) 952 816 434. Charity Registration Number: 119.883
E-mail: butterflyhome@aebe-debra.org +34 637 969 189
AGE CARE ASSOCIATION
A non-profit making fully registered charitable
organisation run entirely by volunteers. The majority of the work
is dealing witholder English speaking people living within the Province
of Malaga offering welfare information and advice, practical support
and emergency help and back up when needed.
They also have a hospital and home visiting team. A Help Desk is
available every Wednesday between 10. am and 12.30 pm at The Manila
Bar, Los Boliches in Fuengirola or just come along for a chat and
a coffee.
Helpline number: 691 761 088.
AGE
CONCERN
Many British people come to the Costa del Sol to
live out the dream of retiring to the sun. Most of those who settle
in this area, love it so much that they never look back. However,
sometimes, perhaps through the loss of a partner or perhaps difficulties
through illness, make life difficult. The Estepona branch of the
Association Age Concern is affiliated to Age Concern España and
counts on some 30 volunteers who help those in need. They cover
the area from Sotogrande to San Pedro de Alcántara. Volunteers can
help as translators, assist with Spanish paperwork, take people
to clinics and hospital appointments, or sometimes help with the
shopping. In extreme cases they have helped to repatriate older
people to their country of origin. To help finance Age Concern's
good work, they have opened a second hand shop in Calle Zaragoza,
Estepona. More information about Age Concern.
- If you are interested in becoming a volunteer phone: 952
801 746.
- To contact the shop, please telephone 951 318 234
- If you need a lifeline for fast and efficient help, please phone 650 163 928
- Contact person - Tony - Telephone 952 797 024, or mobile 654 179 279
ASPANDEM
Aspandem started up in 1980 when a group of parents
of mentally deficient children joined forces to support each other
and the children in their very difficult situation. Since the 80's
and a difference first made to 30 children's' lives, the number
benefiting from the enthusiasm and help of Aspandem is now over
300. You can visit Aspandem's second hand shop in San Pedro de Alcántara
where proceeds are used to meet the needs of mentally challenged
children. The shop is located on Calle Marqués de Estela, near the
police station and is open from 10.00 to 13.00 Monday to Saturday
and 16.00 to 18.00 every Wednesday.
For more information phone: 952 787 650, or 952 179 150
or call in at Avda. Principe de Asturias, San Pedro de Alcántara.
CIUDAD DE LOS NIÑOS
This centre for disadvantaged children and young
people is located just outside Málaga city. The centre is run by
brothers from the Catholic religious order "Hermanos Obreros de
María" and is approved and monitored by the Andalusian Regional
Government. On-site residence is provided for destitute children
and those removed from parent custody while the on-site school is
also open to children from low-income families and caters to their
special learning needs. The centre is located at Finca los Asperos
in Malaga. Due to new laws passed recently, volunteers need to be
professionally trained in this specialist field. However, raising
funds through a special event is another excellent way of helping
this needy cause.
For more information, Tel: 952 179 150 or send
an e-mail to Brother Juan Correa at Email: director@cnmalaga.com
CRUZ ROJA (RED CROSS)
The Red Cross is a well known worldwide charitable
organization. In Andalucia and all over Spain there are Hospitals
run by the Cruz Roja (Red Cross). They do all sorts of charitable
work and they also run first aid courses at very reasonable prices.
Most of the staff and volunteers are likely to be Spanish speakers.
They have centres and help points all over the Costa del Sol and
Andalucia.
For more information contact: Head Office, Cruz
Roja Malaga, Paseo de la Farola, 29016 Málaga.
Tel: 952 217 631 / 2.
E-mail: malaga@cruzroja.es
CUDECA
Most of us know at least one person who has been
touched by cancer. Cudeca (Cuidados de Cancer - Cancer Care) is
an amazing and pioneering Hospice Centre in Benalmadena, where specialist
palliative nursing is offered to patients, as well as caring support
for families and friends. Since 1992 CUDECA, founded and led by
Joan Hunt (awarded the O.B.E. at Buckingham Palace in 2002 for her
incredible work in southern Spain) has made a difference to thousands
of people. With the dedication of this exceptional woman and hundreds
of volunteers of all nationalities, Joan Hunt's dream of a hospice
centre is now reality.
After more than a decade of persistence and hard
work, the Cudeca Foundation has achieved its goal and June 2005
sees the inauguration of the newly constructed 16 bed centre where
terminally ill patients will be cared for by expert medical staff,
so that they can return home again with new strength. As well as
the patient care, there is the day centre and many activities for
patients to enjoy the best quality of life possible. As well as
the 16 bed unit, Cudeca will continue to care for patients and their
families through home visits for an average of 115 patients throughout
the Province of Malaga. Cudeca has invested 4 million euros in this
service since it began 13 years ago. The building of the centre
cost 3,500,000 euros. All fund raising help and ideas are very much
appreciated.
Look out for the Cudeca charity shops in; Alhaurín
el Grande, Alora, Arroyo de la Miel, Coin, Estepona, Fuengirola,
Nerja, Torre del Mar, Torremolinos, Cártama and also look into the
Hospice Centre in Benalmadena where there is also a small shop in
the Reception.
If you would like further information on patient
care, both in the centre and home care, or if you would like to
join the team of volunteers in fundraising events or at one of the
10 charity shops, contact Cudeca direct:
Fundación Cudeca
Centro de Cuidados Paliativos
Avda del Cosmos s/n
29631 Arroyo de la Miel
Benalmadena (Málaga)
For a personal recommendation of Cudeca's Hospice Care, read this true story.
Tel: 952 564 910
Fax: 952 564 922
Website: www.cudeca.org
Email: promocion@cudeca.org
Horizonte
The Horizonte charity provides after-school clubs
for underprivileged children in Marbella. They hold an annual Autumn
Bazaar at the beginning of October. Profits help towards fighting
drug addiction amongst local youngsters. Horizonte also runs three
day centres for high risk children, who may have no family support
or are even HIV positive. Volunteers always needed either for the
thrift shop or to help with events.
For further information call 952 858 652
LOS CLAVELES
'Los Claveles' is a recently formed charity, whose
aim is to raise enough money to purchase a Radio Therapy unit for
the Costa del Sol hospital so that the many cancer patients do not
have to travel all the way to Malaga every day for treatment. They
organise fund raising events at local venues, such as golf clubs,
etc. With the aim to raise some 4 million euros for radiotherapy
equipment for the Costa del Sol Hospital, all support is welcome.
For more information contact President Marion Winter
on 952 863 926
FUNDACION FUERTE
The Fuerte Foundation is a project conceived by Isabel M. García Bardón supported by her children and the personnel at fuertehoteles. The foundation is born with the aim of gathering and managing the wish of the company in collaborating with solving the problems within its social surroundings.
The Fuerte Foundation wants to favour sustainable development for the persons (children, youngsters and families) at risk or with physical and/or cultural shortage within Spain and in those countries where the foundation aims convenient, especially in those places where fuertehoteles is located. This mission will be developed by means of assistance or the creation of projects which wholly improve life conditions: education, dwelling and/or human development
For More information:
Tel: 952 920 004
Fax: 952 920 020
email: info@fundacionfuerte.org
website: www.fundacionfuerte.org
KIVA
Inspired by writing a magazine article Chris Chaplow founder of Andalucia.com has created the Andalucia.com Kiva team and donated €5000 of advertising to KIVA and have created an Andalucia Kiva Team so that friends of Andalucia.com can join the Kiva project. Read more>
STARLIGHT
The first edition of the starlight gala took place in ‘Hotel Villa Padierna Marbella’ on the 7th August 2010 a platform created by Sandra Garcia-Sanjuan y Maria Bravo to unite the world of business, celebrities and philanthropy and to gather funds to improve the life of communities , families and children without resources in any location. More information about Starlite Gala.
The Rhys Daniels Trust, Att. Patti Senker
The Rhys Daniels Trust provides 'Home from Home' accommodation close to specialist children's hospitals around the UK. The accommodation, which is fully self-contained, is for families to use whilst their child is receiving often life-saving treatment at a hospital many miles from their own home.
Fundraising is continuous and one of the highlights of the charity year is the Celebrity Golf Challenge held on the Costa del Sol each June. The 2009 event runs from 11-14 June with the sellout Butterfly Ball being held at the Hotel Puente Romano, Marbella on Saturday 13th June
Premier House, 141 High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BD, United Kingdom
Tel: (0044) 1992 570 550 / 637 969 189. Charity Registration Number: 1036041
Email: info@rhysdanielstrust.org
/ pattisenker@rhysdanielstrust.org
UNICEF MÁLAGA
This international organisation is active in Málaga.
UNICEF - Provincial Branch, Malaga
Alameda Principal, 6-4o, Oficina D,
29005 Malaga
Tel: 952 061 144
Email: malaga@unicef.es
ANIMAL CHARITIES
ADANA
ADANA is an animal shelter for abandoned dogs and
cats. The have a second hand shop at Calle Camino del Padre Cura,
14, Estepona - open Monday - Saturday 10am-2pm. They also organize
many different events for fundraising.
Kennels: 952 113 467
Or call Jutta: 630 123 997
Website: www.adana.eu.com
AID
Animals-In-Distress. Fighting for the welfare of all abandoned & stray animals in this part of Southern Spain. Working with charities, organisations, sanctuaries, independent helpers & volunteers. We rescue and home abandoned dogs, cats and other stray animals in Coin, Alhaurin el Grande, Alora, Cartama & surrounding villages. We rely on good homes, foster homes and donations to help all animals. Dogs are desperate for help as there are so many dumped. Call Janice on 619377787 Website: www.animals-in-distress.eu
ANCRAA
Nacional Association of Breeders of Rare Andalucian
Giant Donkeys. This Association has a breeding sanctuary in Estepona
at Finca Los Pajaritos, Km 164 of the A7. Open from 11:00 to 14:00
on Sundays. Follow the signs for ANCRAA. You are invited to cuddle
a donkey. Volunteers and fundraising always welcome.
Tel: 952 790 511
IBERIAN RARE BREEDS TRUST
The endangered Andalucian-Cordobesan donkey benefits
from this trust. For more information call 952 387 688.
PAD
The PAD animal charity saves many abandoned dogs
and cats and wherever possible find them new homes. Animals can
be fostered or cared for permanently. PAD is a registered charity
and organises many fund-raising events throughout the year. While
helping the animals, PAD believes that the animals often help people
too - especially in times of loneliness. Whether you are looking
for a new companion/pet or would like to help with the cause, call
Barbara on 952 486 084, or Email: info@padcatsanddogs.org
PEPIS DOG REFUGE
Pepis Dog Refuge is a registered non-profit charity solely run by volunteers to help fight the atrocities being carried out regularly on Galgos, Spanish Greyhounds. Based in Pedrera, Spain, the charity has been dedicated to Animal Welfare since 2005. Donations most welcome through their website www.pepisdogrefuge.com
Fundraisers and Volunteers always needed, please contact heather.pepisdogrefuge@live.co.uk for more information on how you can help.
OXFORD LEARNING - CHARITY SUPPORT 2012
Gibraltar-based Distance Learning Centre, Oxford Learning, are supporting a variety of charities in and around Andalucia during 2012. So far they have raised €1000 euros for a dog shelter in Los Barrios and their current campaign is for Nerja Donkey Sanctuary. Postively Pink, a breast cancer awareness charity in Fuengirola, are soon to be working hard toward a donation via what has so far been a successful campaign via Facebook. More information on this Charity Project can be see via the Oxford College webpage. Please feel free to contact them should you wish your charity to be considered for the campaign.
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