Scruffts helping hands

By DAISY SAMPSON daisy.sampson@theresidentgroup.com

An event like Scruffts may be a great day out for all the family, however, the efforts of those behind the scenes extend for many months beforehand.

Essential to the smooth running of Scruffts are the numerous volunteers who give their time and donate their skills into providing everything that is needed for the event, from the all important food to the provisions of sound equipment and the organising of trade stands.

Two of the team behind Scruffts told the Algarve Resident just how they lend their helping hands to this important event that raises funds for animals in the Algarve through the APAA.

Jenny Clarke has been working with the APAA for the past 12 years, a self confessed dog lover with three dogs and five cats, a reduction from the six dogs she used to have at one stage which also included a Newfoundland.  

Jenny has worked on the Scruffts show since the second event was staged. “I remember how it used to be all arranged more or less just a week before, where we would be rushing around trying to find sponsors at the last minute but then Martin Hepton joined us and he has used his experience to organise everything so it runs smoothly,” said Jenny Clarke.

Jenny helps to coordinate volunteers with the registration desk and catering, although she admits that without the help of key people this would be very difficult to accomplish.

“This year the Fat Pig will be providing the hot food however we will still have other food for sale including all the cakes and pies lovingly baked by Emma Hepton while Christiane Hinrichs has been helping us with the food for more than 10 years,” said Jenny.

Jenny Clarke has been working with the APAA for 12 years.

She added: “There are of course many other people who generously give their time to help with the event including Edward Saltys who is involved in helping as a Portuguese speaker while Colin Burgess kindly stepped in at the last minute last year to MC the show.”

Musician Colin Burgess had initially offered to help with the sound system at Scruffts, however, unforeseen circumstances saw him taking to the microphone last year as the MC.

Colin said: “I don’t think I help nearly as much as other people but I do what I can and I was happy to agree to be the MC for the show again this year.”

Colin is an example of a volunteer who helps with the APAA charity by donating his own specific skills to help raise money and has performed in the past at events for the APAA.

“I never had a dog until four years ago but now I have two and I am more than happy to help out in any small way that I can and this usually involves me doing gigs for the APAA to help to raise more money,” said Colin.

Scruffts is by far the biggest event of the year for the APAA and while the economic crisis may have seen charitable donations fall in many areas, the interest in the show continues to be strong for this year.

Jenny Clarke said: “July and August are the worst time of year for abandoned dogs while there are also a lot of puppies at this time of year.  It can sometimes feel like we are going backwards in our efforts but we continue to raise money for the building of our own rescue centre and also for the ever important SNiP neutering and spaying campaign.

“We thought that interest may have waned a little because of the economic climate but we have had a great response so far to the event and hope that this will be reflected in the visitor numbers.”

This year there will also be a craft fair held at Scruffts, which is taking place at Fatacil in Lagoa on September 18.

For further information please email scrufftsalgarve@yahoo.co.uk