PDQ (Pretty damned quick!). “It seems to work!” Jenny Clarke, President of APAA, has joined with Algarve Emporium Charity on their ‘Facebook’ auction page. “We’ve done it twice now. It raises a lot of interest amongst the communities who are looking for really good bargains, and to donate money to good causes.”

Emporium headed up by Caroline Langston, has a good, dedicated busy team. Sounds familiar? The Association for Protection Animals Algarve, having two charity shops in Alvor and Silves, can raise some money with the more ‘unusual’ items lodging within their hallowed halls. “It really is a head scratching time. We never know what is going to fetch a good price or just not be of interest.” One man’s meat as they say. Emporium is dedicated to looking after families in need. Fighting for food, clothing and the bare necessities of life. With our fast ‘get it got it good’ society it remains in the hands of a few to try and restore some equilibrium into the community. Not only humans but animals. All the vulnerable ones. Always looking for new faces to help, volunteers, ideas to help get started on money raising is not easy. “Strangely enough, when times are hard, people seem to look over their shoulders and see the less fortunate than themselves.” Good.

APAA’s monies raised, go to SNiP. Spaying & Neutering Programme has worked for years now. It provides communities suffering from over-large feral cat populations to be diminished over time, naturally and carefully. The cats once ‘fixed’ are put into a colony and well looked after somewhere safe. Dogs, abandoned and often pregnant or badly abused, or both are also a target for APAA. They have to all be taken to the Vet, cared for, and re-homed in a suitable environment. Charity work is not easy. It requires people who enjoy what they are doing and who care. “Time is of the main importance.” Jenny assuredly knows.

Between her concoctions of jams, preserves, marmalades, and chutneys, all beautifully bottled and labelled sell like Jackie’s hot shortbread cookies. “If, anyone is out there with an idea for selling at our ‘Pop-Up’ shops or from our shops, then please, please contact us.” Home-made good quality items are always very popular. Emporium will be having regular auctions, which we will partake off, and hopefully keep you all informed of when you can tap into the mine of items. Some are brand new still in their original packaging, others works of art. Collectibles, beautiful unwanted gifts. Forgotten furniture. A bargain for everyone! Volunteers are always welcome.

Con APAA: Jenny info.apaaportugal@gmail.com

Zélia Cat-colonies: zelia.santos@live.co.uk

Emporium: Caroline algarveemporium@gmail.com