Fitsteps do it for MABS
On Wednesday, I popped over to The Castle Bar in Moraira (opposite the castle) to attend and support – not participate mind, in a fundraiser for MABS Cancer Support.
The ‘Fitsteps Fundraiser'´ was organized by instructor Pam Small and had a great turnout of ladies – come on boys, where were you all?
This was the first fundraising event in months held to benefit MABS and very much appreciated.
It was especially important as the charity shops were all shut for 3 months over lockdown, losing virtually all their income which is crucial to maintain the services that the charity provides to those suffering with cancer.
Classes, which Pam holds every Monday and Thursday morning, starting at 10am on the covered outside terrace at the Montevideo restaurant in Benitachell moved to Moraira for this fundraiser and took place on the thankfully shady back terrace area.
The moves are all done to classic numbers which everybody would recognize. In fact, when Viva España was played for one of the dances, I looked up at the apartment block overlooking the terrace and two lots of neighbours were joining in on their balconies who were greeted with a huge round of applause at the end from the group.
After the 'hour long class'… I was pretty exhausted just watching them, they all sat down to enjoy coffee and cakes, all freshly baked. Castle Bar owner Yvonne Turner made a delicious Victoria sponge, oozing with strawberry jam and fresh cream plus sultana scones whilst fitness teacher Pam made a coffee and walnut cake plus a banana cake! The ladies certainly all deserved it after their efforts and needed the sugar hit.
My little contribution was to organize a raffle – and I must say, local businesses are all so very generous when it comes to helping and donating. I must give a special shout out to Kaz and Nick at Iceland in Benidorm for their contribution to a massive hamper that I made up and which was won by a delighted Debbie. MABS president Jacqui Phillips thanked all the ladies for their efforts and presented Pam with a thank you gift for organizing the event, which raised €342.
The current crisis has hit all charities very hard – not just MABS and in these economically strained times, it is especially difficult to be rattling a collection tin, asking for donations.
We at MABS are a selffunding charity, raising money for services that we ourselves provide - unlike other charity shops that raise money to donate to worthy charities and good causes.
The saying one man’s trash is another man´s treasure is very pertinent at the moment and what helps us sustain a core income.
The lockdown gave everyone plenty of time for a good clearout and de-clutter. Don´t leave it at the bins on the street… please bring it to us at MABS. We even offer a free furniture pickup if you have big donations that you can´t manage yourself.
So long as it is clean and in reasonable condition, we will gratefully accept it… but please do not bag up and donate dirty clothes for us! Those that work in the shops are all volunteers that give their time for free and certainly do not sign up for sorting through dirty clothe donations.
You will find me at the Alfaz shop on Friday – pop in for a browse and chat. Everyone that does come in almost always remarks that “it doesn´t look (or smell) like a typical charity shop” which is a real compliment.
Got a few hours a week to spare – then why not come and give it a go? You´'ll be surprised how good it makes you feel and the sense of satisfaction you will derive from volunteering and of course, you get to meet lots of new and interesting people www.benidormallyearround.com