Already there has been children's bicycles, clothing, baby equipment, fridge freezers, furniture etc finding their way to new homes, and this will continue throughout the coming year. However, it would be remiss of us to go headlong into the New Year without offering a huge festive thank you to all those who supported us in making Christmas a happier time for hundreds of families.

For the 09th year running Chantelle Kortekaas led the Reverse Advent Calendar initiative, whereby individuals across the region donated boxes of food, clothing, gifts, etc which were then distributed to families from the west coast to Altura- everyone received with joy and, in some cases, relief from families who were really struggling to have any Christmas at all.


We are so grateful to the individuals who spent December putting together these very generous donations as well as the associations who supported the initiative.

Thanks go to The Nobel Algarve British International School Lagoa whose Staff Children, and parents, under the guidance of Nadia Cann, donated sufficient supplies to complete in excess of 30 boxes which were delivered to families in The Silves and Lagoa areas. And they didn't stop there. Four young ladies from year 9 at the school, sold candy canes with personalised messages,to their fellow students and raised 340e which they donated to charity. We are so impressed with the way the school encourages their young people to be so charity-minded - not just at Christmas but throughout the year.

In the west -our thanks go to Burgau Sports Centre, who not only provided Reverse Advent Calendars but also lots of boxes of food collected from users of the centre; to the Padel group in Lagos and Luiza Dedisin for their cash donations and to Iberia Blue for the generous donation of store cards


As in previous years, Casa Merame ( estate agents in Lagos) collected donations of new toys and candies which again went immediately to families - thank you Maggan Einarsson and all those who dropped off their donations at Casa Merame.

Finally, we would like to thank those who stepped up at the 'last minute' to help with deliveries meaning that the volunteers could get home to prepare for their own Christmas. We were truly grateful for that !!!!

If anyone would like to know more about Algarve Families in Need please visit our website and/or our Facebook page. We look forward to working with you throughout the coming year.

Happy 2025!