Charities on the Costa del Sol
By Dee McMath

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. Samantha-Jane Smith

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  +34 661 826 634

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.

• 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)

Tel: 952 564 910
Fax: 952 564 922
Website: www.cudeca.org
Email: promocion@cudeca.org

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

LA CALA-MIJAS LIONS CLUB

The Lions Club of Mijas La Cala does much fund-raising for charity. It meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 19:30 (no meetings mid June to mid August) at the Mijas Playa Restaurant, La Cala de Mijas. All nationalities attend this small charity, membership group. All nationalities welcome.

This very active branch of the Lions Club has recently opened a new charity shop in Calle Torremolinos. Shop hours are 10:00 - 14:00 and gifts, books, DVDs, bric-a-brac and nearly-new clothes are on sale. Donations welcome. Phone Martin: 670 022 335.
The Club organizes many events and has a very successful fundraising record.

They have a particularly helpful Diabetic Support Group which meets on the last Friday every month at El Gusto Restaurant at 11:00 a.m. Nurse in attendance at meetings to take blood pressure. Supportive advice offered. As well as the monthly meetings, there are fund raising events and social evenings. Phone founder and founder and president of this group: Anne Bowles on 607 879 450

For further information Mijas La Cala Lions Club, please contact President, Ron Freeman on 952 493 490

Other Lions Clubs on the Costa del Sol:

Benalmadena	952 373 550	Estepona	952 373 550
Fuengirola	952 581 493	Málaga	952 227 525
Marbella	952 493 908	Mijas	952 486 202
Mijas Costa	952 834 513	Cala Mijas	952 493 098
Nerja	952 538 404	Torremolinos	952 373 752

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

The Rhys Daniels Trust, Att. Patti Senker

Premier House, 141 High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BD, United Kingdom
Tel: (0044) 1992 570 550. Charity Registration Number: 1036041
Email: info@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

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