Christmas Fair

NETWORK SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS FAIR – A FANTASTIC SUCCESS!

It just keeps on getting bigger and better! Network’s Spirit of Christmas Fair, in its fourth year at Armação de Pêra’s Hotel Garbe, turned out to be the place to be on the December 1st holiday.

Hundreds came from all parts of the Algarve and at times it was hard to see the stalls for the crowds – a great start to the Festive Fair season for sellers and buyers alike.

But probably the brightest smiles of the day were on the faces of the representatives of local charity ACCA, Network’s Charity of the Year and the beneficiaries of the Fair’s fundraising raffle and tombola stalls. A fantastic combined effort by those who donated the prizes, the ticket sellers and of course the buyers means that a record-breaking Fair charity total of €1,650 will soon be handed over to ACCA for their work supporting deprived children in the Algarve.

Thanking Network for the amazing amount raised, an ACCA volunteer said that the money would be earmarked for two projects – heating in a local children’s home and emergency surgery for a young boy with a crippling bone condition.

One of the most popular attractions on the day were the carol singing sessions, kindly staged by members of the Silves Keep Fit For Charity Club who were delighted with the generosity of the crowd in their fundraising efforts for Castelo dos Sonhos.

Santa himself had to call off because of a busy schedule but he again sent along his popular Algarve stand-in, businessman John Havery, who did him proud. Thanks, Santa!

This year’s Christmas Fair organiser, Network member Anne Parish was delighted with the success of the event and wants to say a personal thank-you to all involved.
“I can’t mention everyone individually – there was simply so much support – but they all know who they are and should give themselves a pat on the back. But on behalf at everyone at Network I do just want to make a special mention of the Hotel Garbe for their fantastic support, which they gave at no cost to the organisation. And to the stallholders and the visitors – thanks for coming – we couldn’t have done any of it without you.”