The mission of Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) has always been to help in the local community and, since 2017, together with local school group Agrupamento de Escolas Pinheiro e Rosa (Faro), has organised an annual “Arraial” charity party in Estoi.
The first charity party raised over €5,000 to help a local Estoi university student who was losing her sight due to a congenital eye condition, to complete her university studies and help with her medical treatment.
Last year’s “Arraial” raised nearly €7,000 to help another local Estoi girl, Margarida, who has a rare congenital hip disease, have a much-needed operation so she doesn’t have to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. Other organisations, such as Algarve children’s charity ACCA, also contributed funds to raise the total needed for this first operation.
The procedure was carried out at the end of August and the surgeon is delighted with Margarida’s progress. He wants to do the next operation on her other hip before the end of the year and funds are urgently needed to cover this, as the cost will be in excess of €12,000.
Margarida’s family is registered with the Faro Food Bank and is not in a position to cover this, and the health service also does not have the resources to carry out such a complicated operation. The money will need to be raised by donations and fundraising events.
On October 19, the community came together to help Margarida again. The third charity party “Arraial Estoi Solidário” was held at the Poeta Emiliano da Costa school in Estoi. Despite the inclement weather, nearly 300 people went along to show their support for Margarida. The ticket price was €6, which included a sandwich, a drink and live entertainment.
The food was prepared and donated by local people and businesses. The entertainment was provided by Rancho Foclórico de Santa Bárbara de Nexe, Karaté da Conceição de Faro-Estoi, Urban Xpression, among others, who all generously gave their time for free.
Starting at 6pm, the party went on until 11pm. Around €5,000 was raised, which will go towards supporting Margarida with her surgery.
Organisers thanked all who got involved, either by providing the food, entertainment, prizes or by turning up and supporting the cause.
If you would like to help Margarida, contact RCEPI: moc@rotaryestoipalace.org
Photo: Members of Karaté da Conceição de Faro-Estoi with Margarida and Christine Fay (far right), RCEPI President
