Networking Lunch

Portugal Charity Chat’s latest networking meeting was over an excellent lunch at the Vila Vita Biergarten on the N125 at Porches recently and had a fantastic turnout of around 40 people. This included those at the heart of the charities involved and volunteers who are willing and able to give freely of their time to help.

I attended this lunch and was amazed at how many charities were represented, and I am sure there are others out there that are struggling to get noticed. These events are an ideal forum for them for the future, to give more information about charitable events and the highs and lows of fundraising and collecting items for sale.

I haven’t the space to name them all, but there were organisers of charity shops, food collections for the needy, furniture and bigger items for those in need, animal welfare groups, those involved in environmental issues, end-of-life care - and representatives from a good few of them presented information about their individual charities, and their plans for the future.

Facebook Page

The Facebook page of Portugal Charity Chat is a place where other fundraisers can publish their events, somewhere to make announcements about goods or services that are available or needed by anyone involved in fundraising, and for volunteers to perhaps find the charity they would like to volunteer their help for.

This concept was originally conceived by Caroline Langston of the Algarve Emporium, but Sheena Rawcliffe has built on the idea, and in her usual adroit manner has got the ball rolling by organising get-together events of like-minded people representing their various charities. In the past, these have been coffee mornings, lunches, and dinners, and this not only gets the charities out in the open a bit more but introduces the individual charities - and their faces - to others.

Each and every one of the charities badly needs assistance (whether monetary or physical help), and look for people to perhaps donate a few hours in a shop once or twice a week, help with the collection of food or goodies for the charities providing for needy families, or to assisting in a shelter for homeless or sick animals. There is something for everyone, and if you have something to donate to a charitable cause, an event to organise, or just feel you would like to be involved in something but are not sure what, The Portugal Charity Chat platform would be an excellent starting point.

The date of the next event will be April 24 2024, and anyone wanting full details should email portugalcharitychat@gmail.com.

Author

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan