Amovate—which last year donated nine wheelchairs to Portimao Hospital—handed over €700 to Jeanette Cumberworth’s Madrugada Charity appeal on Saturday, a week after the Vale da Telha Music Festival.

The gift from Amovate’s charity fund was the biggest single donation in the final count of €2,596 contributed through various fundraising events on Vale da Telha.

That total TREBLED Jeanette’s initial target of €800 to buy a ripple bed for the charity that assists people with life-threatening illnesses.

Amovate President Peter Johnson handed over the Association’s cheque to Madrugada Director Alison Blair at Saturday’s Summer Fair at the Pastelaria do Parque.

Alison said when she was told the final total of €2,596: “I am overwhelmed and so moved. I wasn’t even aware this community was here, just half an hour drive from our advice centre and shop in Praia da Luz until Jeanette first contacted us.

“This comparatively small number of residents has shown the warm heart of its community by managing to raise such a large sum. This will enable us not only to buy the ripple bed which we need so badly, but also to prioritise other important projects.”

Later, Jeanette told us: “I am so overcome by the response from such a small but warm-hearted community as ours to my appeal for €800 to buy a ripple bed.

“The fact that they raised more than treble that amount has left me feeling very emotional–it really is an unbelievable response and one beyond all expectations.”

She went on: “I’d like to say a big thank-you to Amovate for a massive donation of €700, but all of the money was raised from so many activities by so many people.

“For example, there was Marion’s quiz night, Brian’s music quiz on the Thursday before the event that raised over €100, €25 from the Keep Fit group.

“There were numerous other small donations, from Borboletas women’s group, the sales of raffle tickets etc at the Amovate Music Festival. The raffle night at the Piranha Bar on behalf of the Borboletas raised 110 euros, cash from the collection box on the counter at Pastelria do Parque and of course Saturday’s Summer Fair.

“There, monies were raised from various stalls and games at the venue and all of that went into the funds.

“Literally every euro contributed has gone towards the Magrugada Charity and that also included private donations from people who did not want publicity.

“So everyone had a part, large or small, in raising the amount now settled at €2,596.

“The Ripple bed costs around €700 and the surplus will be used for other items needed at Magrugada.

“I will be in touch with Alison at Magrugada when I get back from UK after the 6th September.

“And when the items are purchased I will be arranging for another press/photo release with Magrugada and others who

had been involved with the fund raising, such as the Borboletas, Amovate, Kim and Nick at the Pastelaria do Parque and members of the Committee who helped in the organisation etc.

“Then, everyone can see the items to which they contributed so wonderfully.

“I would like you all to know too that, yes, doing this fundraising was very hard emotionally. But it was also very easy, as a project that I had to do to make a closure in my life.

“My initial thought at the time was that what happened to me and my family, and of course to Tony, could happen to someone else.

“I do not want anyone else to experience being on their own here in Portugal, thinking there is no help, and to struggle without support.

“I found Magrugada too late for me and my family. I just needed it to not be too late for anyone else, that’s all.”

***Amovate wishes to point out that although the Music Festival was a huge success, the €700 donation was not in total the result of proceeds of the night.

But the Committee felt that for such a good and important cause they should draw on cash from their reserves to donate the equivalent cost of a ripple bed to Jeanette’s charity.