The Walkers gather at the start

** More photos at the end of this article**

The Five Annual West Coast Charity Bar Walks Have Now Raised More Than €13,000

The West Coast’s annual fancy dress Charity Bar Walk has now raised, in total, more than €13,000 for local good causes.

This year’s walk—the fifth—has so far contributed €3,013 to that total after another fun-filled 3.54km (2.2mile) stroll in the sun, calling in at a number of bars along the way for liquid refreshment.

Organiser and Vale da Telha resident Cath Baker started the annual event in 2015, basing it on the charity pub crawls held in her hometown of Saddleworth in Lancashire.

This year’s walk began as usual at Restaurante O Paulo on the picturesque Arrifana promontory near the west coast town of Aljezur, with the Restaurante Fonte do Vale in Vale da Telha being the final “watering hole”, where the walkers’ arrival was the signal for a big party with disco style music.

There, prizes were handed out for best male and female costumes, with Helen Sees collecting the ladies prize with her Pamela Anderson outfit, and Bob Packham the best male prize for his Jock the Scot costume. 

Organiser Cath and partner Kjell Motel walked as a John Deere tractor (engine seized up) and trailer. They were joined by co-organiser Steve Scott celebrating Bavarian Octoberfest by wearing a barrel (empty) and tap including Bavarian shirt with suitable accompaniments.

Others included Jock the Scot, a Roman soldier, Cowboy Carl, Pamela Anderson, the old maid, big baby, a Sultan with his princess, Uncle Fester, a strawberry and many others.

Cormac Murphy the Sultan, who never disappoints, became the ‘Sultan of Swim’ when he pulled off a “Tom Daly” into the pool at the Arrifana Youth Hostel.

A total of 35 walkers strolled from Restaurant O Paulo at the end point of Arrifana to the Fonte de Vale restaurant at the Pines Roundabout in VdT.

This required several dehydration prevention points on the way which included the Sol e Mar, Brisamar, Hostel, Elska kitchen, A la Bilal, Locanda del gusto, Sector B, Hugo’s Bar and finally The Fonte do Vale. 

Cath told us: “The money raised this year will support a 3 year-old boy, Vicente, who was born prematurely and requires treatment to help him sit, and stand and which will give him some quality of life he richly deserves. 

“Some of the cash was raised through a raffle once we all gathered at the Fonte do Vale, with prizes generously donated by locals. Then the evening got going with disco music continuously playing with people showing off their dancing skills…or not, whatever the case may be.

“As our contribution to the “Lids For Life” campaign launched for Vicente by other well-wishers, we are also saving plastic and metal bottle tops. People in Vale da Telha and surrounding areas can deposit the bottle tops at the Amovate building (the Old School House) just through Vales as you turn off into VdT. The office is open on Fridays between 16h00 and 17h00.

“The current target is €8.000 for his treatment”. (** For more information on the Charity, please see the foot of this article**)

Cath added: “As usual all establishment supported the event and diners at O Paulo at the start were very generous in their donations, as were many others on the way, not to mention friends back in the UK.

“The Fonte de Vale donated a percentage of their takings which resulted in a further €210 towards the total”. 

Donations also came in from: 

Amovate, the Vale da Telha residents association; €250 

VdT Quiz Group; €200 

Line Dancing Group; €125 

Paulo at O Paulo, Arrifana; €50 

Restaurante Brisamar, Arrifana; €50 .

 Vicent Reis do Chinicato

A Associação Portuguesa de Apoio á Mãe Solteira – A.P.A.M.S. – é uma entidade reconhecida como associação de Solidariedade Social de âmbito nacional, constituída por escritura pública em 2 de Junho de 2006 e publicada no Diário da República II série de 24 de Julho de 2006.

Esta Associação propõe-se a ajudar mães e crianças, com medicamentos, roupa, alimentação, educação, formação profissional e reintegração na vida social e profissional.

Neste momento estamos a reunir todas as ajudas possíveis, para que possamos ajudar o Vicente Reis.

O Vicente é um menino de apenas 3 anos, reside em Chinicato, Município de Lagos. O Vicente nasceu prematuro (com apenas 32 semanas), e, infelizmente, foi-lhe diagnosticado Paralisia Cerebral afetando a parte motora e neurológica do Vicente.

O Vicente não anda, tem dificuldade nos movimentos dos braços, senta-se alguns segundos e diz algumas palavras. Mas mesmo com todas estas limitações que a doença provoca, o Vicente é um menino inteligente, corajoso e cheio de vontade de vencer.

A família deste menino não desiste e quer que o Vicente se torne o mais independente possível, e para isso recorrem a todo tipo de ajudas como: recolha de tampinhas e eventos, para conseguirem pagar os tratamentos de reabilitação neurológica na clinica CHS em Braga.

Este tratamento tem apresentado evoluções e ganhos significativos no desenvolvimento psicomotor e qualidade de vida, evidenciados no dia-a-dia do Vicente. E a clinica propôs à família um próximo intensivo para o mês de Setembro, com duração de 6 semanas, 7/horas diárias, com um custo aproximado aos 8.000€.

É muito importante o Vicente fazer este tratamento intensivo, mas a família neste momento não consegue pagar.

Apesar de tudo o Vicente é uma criança muito amada e muito Feliz!

E com o vosso apoio vamos ajuda-lo a continuar a sua evolução e dar-lhe um futuro ainda mais risonho.

 Vicent Reis do Chinicato

The Portuguese Single Mother Support Association – A.P.A.M.S. – is an entity recognized as a National Social Solidarity Association, constituted by public deed on June 2, 2006 and published in the Diário da República II series of July 24, 2006.

This Association aims to help mothers and children with medicines, clothing, food, education, vocational training and reintegration into social and professional life.

At this moment we are gathering all possible help so that we can help Vicente Reis.

Vicente is a 3-year-old boy living in Chinicato, Lagos Municipality. Vicente was born prematurely (only 32 weeks old), and unfortunately was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy affecting the motor and neurological part of Vicente.

Vicente doesn’t walk, has difficulty moving his arms, sits down for a few seconds and says a few words. But even with all these limitations caused by the disease, Vicente is an intelligent boy, brave and willing to win.

The family of this boy does not give up and wants Vicente to become as independent as possible, and for this they resort to all kinds of aids such as: collecting caps and events, to be able to pay for neurological rehabilitation treatments at CHS clinic in Braga.

This treatment has shown significant progress and gains in psychomotor development and quality of life, evidenced in the daily life of Vicente. And the clinic proposed to the family an upcoming intensive for the month of September, lasting 6 weeks, 7 / hours daily, with a cost of approximately € 8,000.

It is very important for Vicente to do this intensive treatment, but the family is unable to afford it right now.

After all Vicente is a very beloved and very happy child!

And with your support we will help to continue his development and give him an even brighter future.