Latest News & Press Releases

Managing Christmas after a loss

2011-12-21T05:12:00.000-08:00

When someone we have loved dies, special occasions can be hard without them and the fact that that person isn’t there with us to share these moments can feel really strange, making even the happiest occasion a bit sad.

Here are some ways that may make these times a little easier.

Coping with Christmas
If you’ve lost someone close to you, Christmas may be a time when you miss them more than usual. It’s probably a time you’re used to spending with them and there might well be several little things that remind you of them. When someone important is missing from the festivities or even from the dinner table many people can find it really hard, especially the first year.

Just like Christmas, birthdays and other important family celebrations can be painful when you’ve lost someone you love. It’s natural to feel like they should be there to celebrate with you. Their own birthdays or anniversaries can be especially sad, because you’re reminded of just how much you miss them.

It’s important to take care of yourself and each other on these days.

Prepare for the day

With Christmas coming up, plan ahead for it. Talk with your family and friends about the best way to remember your loved one; it can be really nice to include a few moments in the day to remember the people who aren’t there.

Allow yourself be sad

It’s normal to feel sad when someone you love isn’t there for Christmas, so don’t be hard on yourself. It can help to take some time out to remember them. Everyone’s different and will have a different way of doing that, but here are some ideas:

find a quiet place to remember all the good things about the person
do something that you used to do together
hang a special decoration on the tree in their memory
light a special candle for them and let in burn throughout the day
write them a letter telling them about the day
revisit somewhere you used to go together
remind each other about your favourite times with them

Don’t forget it’s ok to enjoy yourself too; laughter is always beneficial and there’s a place for it during bereavement - this doesn’t mean you don’t miss or respect the person you’ve lost.

Look after yourself

Recognising that this might be a tough time for you is important. You have to treat yourself with a bit of care. Avoid making major decisions until after Christmas is over. If possible, treat yourself to something you enjoy doing.

Avoid bottling up thoughts and feelings
Keeping things to yourself means the tension builds up inside you. Finding a way to express what you’re feeling really can help you to feel better. You could talk to someone, write your thoughts down, draw or paint, or punch some pillows.

Talk to someone
Having someone you trust to talk to about how you’re feeling is helpful. This may be a family member or a friend. If you’re finding it hard to cope with day-to-day stuff then it may help to talk to someone like a counsellor. Help is available at Madrugada.

Madrugada Moving Forward

2011-10-28T02:51:00.000-07:00

As Madrugada completes its second year , the hard work and determination shown by our members and volunteers is being noticed and we have the right to feel pleased with our progress. The Board of Directors would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and dedication and assure you that with your help we will make the changes necessary to accomplish our aims and objectives.

We’ve been very active during our short existence establishing a small but effective community service which delivers ‘end of life palliative care’ to people who prefer to spend their remaining days at home. This service is currently offered on a self referral basis and is open to anyone suffering from a life limiting illness and living within the Lagos and Portimão area.

Since October 2010 we have had the privilege of assisting nine ‘end of life’ patients. As our fundraising capabilities improve, our service will develop and spread across the Algarve. We have been helping people in many other ways. We try to be of assistance to everyone who calls on us and the chart shows the help we have been able to deliver.

We are fortunate to have a bank of volunteers in excess of 65 and we are always seeking new volunteers to work in various capacities ranging from assisting in our charity shops, deliveries, fund raising and working with our clinical team by providing complementary therapies, companion work, administrative skills, reception duties and transporting clients. All these people together with our clinical team of experts and bank of dedicated nurses and health care workers, help provide our management team with the drive necessary to meet the challenges of providing a hospice service in the Algarve. Our membership is reaching 70 and we are keen to encourage anyone wishing to support us to join as a member at an annual fee of €40. Our supporter’s database numbers 1500 and is growing fast.

For Madrugada, the relief of total pain, including physical, emotional and spiritual elements is key to providing a service which enables patients to concentrate on life with dignity. Our service is discreet, respecting the privacy of patients and their families. Each care plan is designed to meet the needs of the patient and their family with active involvement of family members being encouraged as and when appropriate. Support continues for the family in the form of Bereavement Counselling which along with other psychological support services, is offered free of charge to anyone affected by a life threatening illness.

Algarve Secret Gardens - Opening for Charity - Spring 2012

2011-10-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

In spring 2012 the Algarve Resident Group in conjunction with the Madrugada charity will provide a special opportunity to explore selected private Algarvean gardens not usually open to the public.

Equally it will provide garden owners with the enjoyment of presenting their gardens to the public and making new contacts along the Algarve while raising money for a charity dedicated to supporting people affected by life limiting illness.

The scheme will run from the end of March 2012 until the end of June and be split into a number of regions depending on how many gardens we have in a particular area. Opening will be limited to a few days chosen in collaboration with owners.

We are looking for gardens of all shapes and sizes, from small villas to whole condominiums. Visitors will be encouraged to visit several gardens on the same day, so your garden does not have to be a country estate! Also you may like to create a joint garden visit by linking up with a neghbour.

If you would like to put your garden forward for the scheme, while also helping the Madrugada charity, please contact Clive Goodacre who will be organising the scheme on behalf of the Resident Group and Madrugada. Please e-mail to: clivegoodacre@hotmail.com a few details and photos if possible – location, size, special features etc. We will then get back to you with further information including plans for a number of competitions to be sponsored by garden centres, landscapers and outdoor leisure product retailers.

Caring Community Smashes Charity Target - August 27

2011-08-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

The small Algarve West Coast community of Vale da Telha has smashed its fund-raising target for the Madrugada Serious Illness Charity. The residents rallied around when Jeanette Cumberworth launched an appeal to raise €800 for a ripple bed to ease the suffering of long-term bedridden patients following the death of her husband Tony earlier this year.

But a final count after a series of fund-raising events revealed that the mostly ex-pat coastal community near Aljezur had more than trebled the target amount, with a total figure of €2,596.

Amovate, the local Residents’ Association—which last year donated nine wheelchairs to Portimão Hospital—raised the biggest single total of £700 following the Vale da Telha Music Festival on August 20, adding to the €1,896 contributed through a series of events.

The fund-raising drive, which included raffles, bucket collections and a Music Quiz culminated last Saturday with a Summer Fair at the Pastelaria do Parque.

During the Fair Amovate President Peter Johnson handed over their cheque to Madrugada’s Alison Blair who said when she was told the final amount 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 said: ‘I am overcome by the overwhelming response from such a small community as ours to the appeal. So many people got involved and played their part and the fact that they raised more than three times the amount for which we aimed has left me feeling very emotional--it really is an unbelievable response and one beyond all expectations. The ripple bed itself costs around €700 and the surplus will now be used for other essential items needed at Madrugada. For the large part doing this fundraising was very hard emotionally. But it was also very easy, as a project I had to do to make a closure in my life.’

Photograph shows from left: Amovate President Peter Johnson, Jeanette Cumberworth, Alison Blair from Madrugada, and Kim Wassell from Pastalaria do Parque.

‘Blonde Moments’ in support of Madrugada - 19 Aug, 2011

2011-08-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Many here in the Algarve know of Alison Blair as president and founder of the Madrugada charity, but fewer know that she is an accomplished singer - as songwriter and record producer Mike Myers testifies on the sleeve notes for Alison’s CD entitled Blonde Moments. ‘There is something about a voice that’s personal and individual. A voice is a kind of audible kiss, a heartfelt confession. Alison Blair is a passionate singer by any measure, encompassing expression, surprise, soul, subtlety, interpretive wit and perspective.’

The 13 tracks, including: Let there be love, Girl from Ipanema, I wanna be loved by you and Bewitched, bothered and bewildered all get Alison’s smooth cocktail lounge bluesy treatment making it the perfect chill out CD.

Any one wanting a copy need only make a donation of €10 (or more!) to Madrugada at our charity shop and office in Praia da Luz (100 Rua Direita – Tel: 282 761 375), the Portimão charity shop near the theatre (Rua Direita, nº 5, Ed. Portus Magnus – Tel: 925664235) or online by PayPal (€11 including p&p) at this website - www.madrugada-portugal.com. All funds raised will all go to Madrugada’s commitment aimed at supporting people affected by life limiting illness.

Sir Cliff Richard charity event raises €10,000 for Madrugada

2011-08-15T05:04:00.000-07:00

A big thank you goes to Madrugada patron Sir Cliff Richard and all those who took part in a special event at Ria Park hotel in Vale do Lobo on 23 July. Altogether €20,000 was raised, split between Madrugada and ACCA Kids, a charity which helps under privileged children in the region.

Organised by Gaynor Morgan, the event included performances by opera singers John Christos and Jenny Williams and local dancers ‘Presumed Innocent’. An auction for a TV studio visit by Denise Welch of Waterloo Road and Loose Women fame raised €4,000 while Sir Cliff auctioned his shirt adding further to the total raised. He then played an acoustic guitar set, singing for more than an hour including some of his greatest hits with the 300 strong audience joining in many old favourites. All in all it was a night to remember.

Madrugada opens second shop in Portimão

2011-03-08T04:12:00.000-08:00

Madrugada’s second charity shop received its official opening on Friday March 4 by Clive Jewell, British Consul in Portimão. Cutting the ribbon he said: ‘I am honoured to be asked to open the new Madrugada charity shop in Portimao, which I am sure will be an extension of the great achievements of the ground-breaking Madrugada shop in Praia da Luz, that is proving to be so successful thanks to the wonderful kindness of many people, both volunteers and those who have been donating items.

‘From the British Consulate’s point of view, our willingness to support Alison and her team where we can won’t be limited to today’s opening either; I’m very much looking forward to visiting the Praia da Luz shop in the not too distant future.’

Work on fitting out the shop began at the beginning of this year led by Christine and Michael Browning who moved from the UK to Alvor five years ago. Christine was one of the first to join Madrugada’s Praia da Luz shop and suggested that Portimão would be another good location if a suitable site could be found.

The shop is situated right in the centre of town on Rua Direita near the theatre and will concentrate mainly on quality clothing. Thanks to the generosity of Alison Slater from ‘Collections’ in particular, the shop has a good selection of new women’s items from last season. But browsing through the racks one will find chain store brands, plus various designer labels and a good selection of children’s wear.

Opening is limited from 10am-2pm until more volunteers can be found to work on a half day a week basis - so if you would like to help please contact Chris on 968740693 or through the Madrugada campaign office in Praia da Luz (282 761 375).

Taste the spices of India with Madrugada

2011-02-16T05:34:00.000-08:00

Following the success of three previous fund raising dinners at the Pashmina Indian restaurant in Lagos, Madrugada will be holding another one on Friday February 25 starting at 7.30. A special three course meal complete with wine or beer will be served for €20 per person. A generous proportion of this charge is donated by restaurant owner Raman Bhasin.

The fund raising group, headed by Paul Wigglesworth is setting up a regular programme of events for 2011 to raise funds for the charity’s objective of helping people with life limiting illness. February also sees the opening of Madrugada’s second charity shop in Portimão.

‘Our aim is to build a strong social networking aspect through these Madrugada events where people can enjoy something a little different in good surroundings, make new friends and help support a good cause’, states Paul Wigglesworth.

For further information contact Alison Blair at the Madrugada Advice Centre and Campaign Office282 761 375 or e-mail info@madrugada-portugal.com.

Christmas thank you to all volunteers and benefactors

2011-01-03T04:49:00.000-08:00

Just before Christmas 2010 Associação Madrugada took the opportunity to say thank you to its highly regarded volunteer force and benefactors at their annual Christmas Party. This was not a fund raising event, instead it was a chance for volunteers to meet each other, relax and enjoy the excellent buffet provided by The Fortaleza in Praia da Luz, the very same venue that hosted Madrugada’s inaugural and anniversary meetings in February 2009 and 2010.

In a short but sincere thank you address, President, Alison Blair said: ‘As you all know Madrugada’s service of ‘End of Life Palliative Care in the home’ commenced in September, it’s a good start, but without your support and dedication, this service would not be possible.

‘We appreciate the hard work and generosity of every one of you and hope that you will continue to support us in the future. Much more importantly, I’d like to pass on the high praise and heartfelt thanks that we’ve received from our patients and their loved ones who, because of your hard work, have benefited from the service we’ve been able to provide and that’s what we are all the fund raising and campaigning is about.’

‘On behalf of our patients and their families, Associação Madrugada would like to thank all our supporters for their generosity and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and an Abundant New Year.’

New dawn, new choices for palliative care patients (from The Portugal News)

2010-12-23T03:55:00.000-08:00

Following an interview with Alison Blair The Portugal News ran a feature in its Dec 18 edition bringing readers right up to date on Madrugada’s achievements so far and plans for the future emphasising its community and cross cultural aims. For the full story please go to:

http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1092-5

October 16-17 New initiatives at BLIP

2010-11-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

Madrugada would like to thank all those who manned stands and supported it at the 2010 BLIP exhibition held in Portimao 16-17 October. A brilliant total of €1026 was raised for the charity from sales on the Madrugada Vintage Clothes stand, organised by Helen Stokes and Annette Brown, and from its main information stand.

BLIP saw the launch of Madrugada’s membership scheme inviting people to become supporters of the charity for an annual €40 fee. The Algarve Impressions 2011 calendar, priced at just €6, featuring watercolours by local artist Gabriela Clark also made its debut at BLIP.

Special thanks goes to Sheena Rawcliffe and Kate Fitzsimmons at Exiberia for the Vintage Clothes initiative as well as supporting Madrugada through The Resident Group’s publications in a wide variety of ways.

The Madrugada Algarve Impressions 2011 calendar is available from the Madrugada charity shop in Praia da Luz or by contacting: info@madrugada-portugal.com

September 8 - The Algarve Resident Golf day raises €2000

2010-09-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Madrugada team would like to sincerely thank The Algarve Resident, sponsors and all who took part in the charity golf day held on 8 September.

Held at the Morgado do Reguengo golf course, the event raised a total €2000 for Madrugada. Sheena Rawcliffe, The Algarve Resident managing director said ‘We chose to support Madrugada because its work has touched the hearts and minds of a wide range of people across the Algarve. The event proved so popular we had a waiting list of 28 people.’

Sponsors were: AZGolf, Porches-based suppliers of club and team sportswear and promotional merchandise; Sir Cliff Richard’s winery Adega do Cantor; glass door and window specialists Mestre Raposa in Gua; Côrte Real Gallery in Paderne and wine makers Quinta do Barranco Longo from Algoz. Golf for Greys golf society also deserves thanks for publicising the event.

The 44 participants took part in a Texas Scramble won by the Parque de Floresta team comprising golf director Alan Hodson, Lorraine Hodson, golf reception manager Ian Munro and vice president Graham Harries. Second came the Boavista team of Rod Yates, Alan Harris, Nick Bridge and Ian Holloway. Third came the team comprising Ginny Wallis-Gregory, Bob Wallis-Gregory and Colin and Linda Campbell.

The Algarve Resident announced during the charity auction held after the competition that it would be holding another Golf Charity Day next year.

Madrugada president Alison Blair says how very encouraging it is to see this type of initiative: ‘As the members of Madrugada’s management team work hard to move this much needed community project forward, members of this community are now sharing the responsibility by taking up the challenge of fund raising. With so much to achieve, it’s wonderful when a group such as The Resident and the Morgado Golf Club get together to arrange an event such as this. Our sincere appreciation goes to all who took part and to the sponsors who helped to make the event so enjoyable”

(picture shows Alison Blair receiving cheque from Kate Fitzsimmons, Resident Group)

Boavista charity swim raises €5,300 for Madrugada

2010-06-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

A sponsored swim held at Boavista’s Essential Fitness and Spa swimming pool in aid of the Madrugada charity has raised a total of €5,300.

Accepting the cheque on June 23 at Boavista’s Lagos resort from Philip Pope, Alison Blair said that it was a brilliant effort by the 36 swimmers who took part: ‘The Boavista team has created a blue print for future Madrugada fund raising events by involving the local community and managing the whole event from start to finish. We hope other resorts will follow their lead by creating their own events to help us raise funds for supporting people with life limiting illness.’

Philip Pope said that Boavista had supported charity events from its inception. These included the Henry Cooper Classic and the Hands of Light golf day which made a major donation to Madrugada in April this year. ‘The enthusiasm and spirit of everyone involved is reflected in the amount raised. It was a community effort for a community charity and we look forward to it becoming an annual event.’

Held on May 23, swimmers encouraged friends and relations to sponsor them for each length they swam of the centre’s indoor pool. On the day swimmers ranging in age from as young as 6 years old through to 70 years clocked up in excess of 50km.

The combination of hard work put in by Isaura Custódio and Yvonne Fisher assisted by sponsors, volunteers, Dynamic Kids and entertainment from the Pink Cadillacs made for a festive day.

Swimmers of note included Jasmine Hodges in the under 10’s who amazed everyone by swimming 108 lengths and in the adult group Emily Sheppard, aged 41 who swam a total of 256 lengths.

Video of Madrugada Fashion Show - 2nd May 2010

2010-05-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

Please click on the link below to view:
www.algarvideo.eu/madrugada

PRESS RELEASE - Walking for Madrugada

2010-04-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

1 April, 2010

Walking for Madrugada

Imagine walking about 30km every day for seven and a half days. Well that is the target that Rev Bob Bates of the St Vincent’s Church and Terry Ames of Algarve Walking Experience have set themselves starting on 28th April.
The original aim was for Father Bob to make a sponsored walk along the 263+ km Algarve Way to raise funds for the Lar de São Vicente in Albufeira, a home for the mentally and physically handicapped. He asked Terry to be his guide along a route which Terry knows from experience is subject to change. But Terry decided that he would also like to raise money for a good cause and chose Madrugada, the charity set up just over a year ago to raise funds to help people affected by life limiting illness.
The walk will start on Wednesday 28 at Alcoutim then on to Vaqueiros, Castelao, Benafim, Alte, Silves, Monchique, Marmalete, Aljezur, Carrapateira, Castelejo beach and finally ending on Wednesday May 5 at Cape St Vincent.
This is a tough challenge, but Terry knows it is achievable within the seven and a half days and is hoping that people will join them for various sections but they must be responsible for their own transport and logistics.
Anyone wishing to sponsor Terry and raise money for Madrugada please contact the Madrugada office – tel: 282 761 375, e-mail info@madrugada-portugal.com or pick up a sponsorship form from the Madrugada Charity Shop in Praia da Luz or online at www.madrugada-portugal.com. Details of the walk can also be found on www.algarvewalkingexperience.com.

Luz Fashion Show and Spring Fair - Sunday May 2nd 2010

2010-03-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Praia da Luz is the setting for the Western Algarve’s first fashion show and spring fair to be held on Sunday May 2nd at Vila Luz luxury aparthotel on the outskirts of Luz just west of Lagos. At least four retailers – for men as well as women - will be staging presentation of their summer ranges while a variety of stalls and displays of fashion accessories and other goods, totaling around 50, will be featured throughout the location’s beautiful gardens and pool area.

(please see image, top right, Liz Ryan, Carlos Moises and Gordon Riske)

The event is being organized by Liz Ryan with all proceeds going to the Madrugada charity. Liz is experienced in staging such events having in the past organized 13 Limerick Spring Fairs each of which typically attracted more than 30,000 people over four days. ‘The Lagos-Sagres area with a large fashion conscious population of expats and Portuguese needs to show off a bit and our aim is to put the West on the map rather than rely on central and Eastern Algarvean events,’ Liz explains.

The show will also include a presentation by Madrugada’s charity shop ladies of designer clothes donated to the shop, typifying the many generous donations made by the local population. Tickets are priced at €5 each and include a welcoming glass of a new sparkling wine which is being launched here for the first time. Children 10 yrs and under €2,50 and 2 yrs and under are free.

As well as fashion shows throughout the day there will be other features including an Argentinean Tango display. The hotel is giving its facilities and premises free of charge thanks to the generosity of hotel owner Carlos Moises assisted by manager Gordon Riske. Included are changing areas for the models, a special rate of €60 per apartment for those wishing to stay overnight and a weekend for up to 4 people at the hotel to be included in a charity raffle to raise funds for Madrugada.

(Please see image above, the 'catwalk' that will be used for the fashion show)

The event will run from 11am – 5pm and any traders or individuals interested in taking space (priced at €40 per unit) or participating in some other way please contact Liz Ryan. Tel: 917943935. e-mail: liz.vista@gmail.com.

PRESS RELEASE - Major donation for Madrugada

2010-03-12T12:00:00.001-08:00

1 March, 2010

The Madrugada charity received a major boost to its fighting fund during its first anniversary lunch on Feb 25th with a donation of €20,000 from the Hands of Light organization. The presentation was kept a secret right until the end of the lunch when the four HOL founders came forward and made the announcement.

In thanking the four HOL founders, Madrugada president Alison Blair said: ‘This very generous gift means that we are now in a financial position to deliver a service in the community. One last push to tie up a few loose ends and we'll be able to make a start. It's been an incredible first year, but now our real work is about to begin. Madrugada is an 'all Algarve' project belonging to the community and it's the community that will benefit so please help us to help you’.

Pictured here (left to right) are HOL founders: Dave Wilson, Avril Patchett, Ann Drummey and Chris Drummey with Alison Blair.

PRESS RELEASE - Happy Birthday Madrugada

2010-03-12T11:58:00.001-08:00

15th February, 2010

Madrugada is celebrating its first anniversary on February 25th where it all began at the Fortaleza restaurant in Praia da Luz.

Alison Blair’s appeal for volunteers from the invited group of local residents started the ball rolling with people coming forward to become actively involved in a variety of ways. These included becoming part of the core admin team, supporting fund raising events, making generous monetary donations and providing items to sell in the charity shop.

The association was founded with the aim of helping support people and their families affected by life limiting illness. ‘The enthusiasm and support resulting from that first meeting convinced me that Madrugada was needed and would have an important role to play in the Algarve community’ Alison explains. Since then many organizations have also given support including local restaurants and businesses.

If you would like to attend the anniversary lunch and hear an update on Madrugada’s progress and future plans please call: Annette 282 762 620; Joan 967732508; Marie 918571207; or visit the Madrugada charity shop in Praia da Luz. Tickets are priced at €20 and the event begins at 11.30 followed by a three course lunch at 13:00.

PRESS RELEASE - Pashmina Nights with Madrugada

2010-03-12T06:24:00.000-08:00

Following the success of last November’s fund raising dinner at the Pashmina Indian restaurant in Lagos, two more dates have been arranged for 2010. November’s event was a full house raising well over €1000 for the Madrugada charity established last year to support people affected by life limiting illness.

The next Pashmina night is on Thursday January 21 starting at 7.30 when a special three course meal complete with wine or beer will be served for €20 per person. A generous proportion of this charge is donated by restaurant owner Raman Bhasin, while a raffle and auction provides additional revenue for Madrugada.

The fund raising group, headed by John Moir and Annette Brown, has set up a regular programme for 2010 that includes a karaoke night at the Mirage restaurant in Praia da Luz, a third Pashmina night in Lagos on March 18, a quiz night and carvery at the Duke in Praia da Luz on April 15 and a musical extravaganza during May with venue and dates to be confirmed.

‘Our aim is to build a strong social networking aspect through these Madrugada events where people can enjoy something a little different in good surroundings, make new friends and help support a good cause’, states John Moir.

Trip to Morocco aids Madrugada

2010-03-07T04:06:00.000-08:00

The radio station Kiss FM in association with Lagos-based PDM travel organized a four day trip in October to Morocco with all profits going to Madrugada.

With a full coach of 57 and more than 20 people on standby the trip was a sellout. First stop after leaving the Algarve was Cadiz followed by a night in Algeciras and a ferry over to the Spanish Ceuta the following morning. Travelling along the coast the party visited the souk in Tetouan and entered a world of crowded narrow streets crammed with shops
and stalls selling everything imaginable.

Lunch in an ornately tiled restaurant, came complete with belly dancing, musicians in traditional clothing and piled dishes of chicken tagine.

An overnight stop in Tangiers and the party were invited by their local guide to come with him to the Kasbah (a network of souks) and enter the labyrinth of this world famous location. A thousand different sounds, images and scents made this an experience that truly lived up to its reputation. Snake charmers, carpet sellers, spice emporiums plus tailors, bakers and many other aspects of daily Moroccan life crammed side by side made this a day to remember.

The trip included many other sightseeing opportunities including stopping in the fascinating town of Arzilah which is more like an open air art gallery with wall murals, galleries and decorated buildings at every turn through its medina. On the final day the party took the hydrofoil to Tarifa on the Spanish mainland and then onto Gibraltar for an afternoon’s shopping and home. Altogether the four day trip covered 1700km yet still had everyone back by late evening.

Future Madrugada benefit trips are being planned, showing how easy it is to take a short break out of Europe.

For details please contact Alison Ribeiro at PDM travel. e-mail: alison@pdm-travel.com
Freephone: 800 206 375.

Web: www.pdmtravel.airmet.pt
Click here to view the complete photo album of the visit on Picasweb

Sir Cliff Richard to be first Madrugada Patron

2010-03-07T04:05:00.000-08:00

The charity is currently planning its next stage of fund raising activities and development including Madrugada Day to be held on June 12 next year. ‘Having the Algarve’s most famous British personality on our side will do much to raise our profile at all levels’, states association president Alison Blair.Apart from usual fund raising activities, people have organized sponsored dining at home, donations collected at family gatherings such as weddings and funerals and the recent KissFM/PDM sponsored trip to Morocco. ‘We have to raise the bar now if we are to begin offering care in the home services -and ultimately the construction of our own day care and residential centre - for people affected with life limiting illness’, Alison explains. Another aspect of the association’s fund raising activities is its charity shop in Praia da Luz which has exceeded all expectations since its opening last June. Madrugada is currently looking for more shop sites along the Algarve so if you have any suggestions and are willing to become involved please call 282 761 375 or tm 964 951 570.

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Association Formation

2010-03-07T04:04:00.000-08:00

Last week saw the official formation of Madrugada as an association enabling it to move forward in achieving its aims in raising funds to provide care for people in the Algarve with life limiting illnesses. Altogether 30 people met at Lagos notary Fernanado Ribeiro to witness and sign papers assisted by local lawyer Dr. Joáo Pedro Matos.

After celebrating its formation, association president Dr Paulo Morgada said that Madrugada was something we should all be proud of because instead of the Portuguese and expat communities just existing side by side, we are being united by a common aim. More than half of the association’s 14 committe members comprises Portuguese nationals who together with its expat members, provide their services free of charge.

The association’s president Dr Morgada is a medical doctor, a vogal do conselho administração for Barlavento Hospital Algarvio, presidente of the Association for Lagos Camâra and presidente for the Lagos Bomberois. Also on the general assembly are Antonio Marcela founder of leading local real estate company Marcela Properties; Paulo Jorges Reis who is current president for the Parish of Santa Maria in Lagos and chief of the Bomberios; and Dr Joao Pedro Matos, lawyer and local man.

Madrugada’s management team is made up of seven locals working on a daily basis to make this project happen. All have areas of responsibility based on their past or current commercial experience.

Heading this group is Alison Blair, founder of the charity, who with Ana Patricia Correia Marques are both practicing psychologists. The latter is the psychologist for the Lagos Camara and also an expert in palliative care as is Maria da Graca. Jenny and Clive Goodacre provide media, pr and bookkeeping skills based on founding a leading UK marketing agency and running a garden centre here. Maria van den Berg completes the admin team, having lived in the local area for 20 years and brings a wealth of local knowledge together with experience in retail and property sales.

Madrugada’s financial department is lead by Hugo Pereira who is also financial director of Barlavento Algarvio and the local care home for the elderly here in Lagos. Supporting him is Rosa Rocha and John Moir who is one of the driving forces behind Madrugada.

For further information on Madrugada and its aims please contact Alison Blair on 964 951 570 or e-mail info@madrugada-portugal.com.

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Madrugada opens its first ‘Loja Caridade’

2010-03-07T04:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the generosity of local businessman Barry Sadler, Madrugada opened its first charity shop in Praia da Luz on Saturday June 9. The charity has been given rent-free premises situated at the start of the main road as one enters the town from Lagos. (In photo Left to right: John Moir whose late wife Mo inspired Madrugada, opens its first charity shop with president Alison Blair and shop manager Helen Stokes.)

It comes complete with a large shop, office suite and storeroom.

Shop manager is Helen Stokes (Tm: 966666314) who is assisted by Annette Brown and a group of volunteers. Madrugada is appealing to readers to bring in any unwanted clothes, household goods or other saleable items. Contact Helen Stokes: 966666314. The shop is open Mon-Fri 10.30am-3.30pm and Saturday 10am-1pm.

Madrugada means ‘dawn’ in Portuguese symbolising the start of a project aiming at eventually building a centre where it can help people and their families in the Algarve change how they live and cope with serious illness by strengthening their general health and emotional well-being.

For further information on Madrugada and its aims please contact:
Alison Blair on 964 951 570 or e-mail info@madrugada-portugal.com

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Walk in Wardrobe fund raiser

2010-03-06T04:39:00.000-08:00

The Algarve’s first frock exchange, held on May 23 at Restaurant Fonte de Pedra in Alcalar, just north of the Meridien Penina Hotel, between Portimao and Mexihoeira Grande, raised nearly €400 for Project Madruga.

(see photo: The Algarve's first Walk in Wardrobe frock exchange)

Visitors were asked to bring items of high quality clothing to exchange in what is known as ‘Swishing', which in times of recession has become the latest fashion craze in cities from London to New York and Sydney. Inspiration came from the recent BBC series ‘Twiggy's Frock Exchange’ and simply involves getting fashion conscious women together to swap items of clothing they are proud of yet want to go to a good home.

For further information on swishing, please contact Karen Lennon on 916277733 or Suzy Turner on 919556630

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Quiz night -first fundraiser

2010-03-06T04:35:00.000-08:00

Madrugada’s first fund raising event kicked off with a brilliant response on April 7 at Silva’s restaurant in Burgau by raising €1000 from a quiz night and auction. The winning team was Os Amigos de Almadena, led by Pat Allen who won two special bottles of wine signed and donated by Sir Cliff Richard.

(See Photo: Madrugada’s first fund raising event, Silva's restaurant, Burgau)

Quizmaster DJ Owen Gee was on great form keeping the packed restaurant entertained while also explaining the more serious aspects of Madrugada which is aimed at helping people and their families in the Algarve change how they live and cope with serious illness.

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