Spurs Legends spur on volunteers at Centre Algarve
- Created on Friday, 10 February 2012 10:30
When Bale, Modric and the Spurs Legends team head out to the Algarve to take on their counterparts from Portuguese Premier League side SC Olhanense this summer, all eyes will be on the game for more than one reason.
Not only will the contest be the pinnacle of the home club’s centenary celebrations, but the game is part of a two-day event to raise funds for Centre Algarve, Europe’s first specialist holiday centre for people with special needs and the disabled.
“I’m really proud and humbled that the Spurs Legends will be making such a great contribution in not only raising funds for the Centre but helping to gain a high profile for the project,” said Spurs fan Andy Mahoney, who is the driving force behind Centre Algarve.“The Centre is an exciting new concept, the first in Europe to give children with special needs and their parents the opportunity to enjoy a family holiday together.“ Also for the first time Special Needs Schools will be able to use a specially adapted centre where young people will receive the ultimate care and understanding whilst broadening their horizons.
Eighteen months ago a large rundown quinta which had been empty for the past six years was acquired near Moncarapacho in the East Algarve, Portugal. Andy Mahoney said, “I was amazed to find that there are no centres in Europe dedicated solely to providing holiday facilities for those with special needs. This is a non-profit making organisation, in fact we’ll have to raise considerable sums of money to bring the project to fruition.”
Thousands of voluntary hours of labour have been given by people from all over the world including Australia, America, Canada, Bulgaria, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Holland, Ireland and the UK. The Centre, from being a derelict shell, is now in the final stages of fulfilling Andy’s 'dream'. Andy added, “There is still much to do, and monies to be raised before the Centre can open but every day brings fresh offers of help. Together we can make a real difference to the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves. As well as raising much needed funds, the visit of the Spurs Legends will be a great boost in our efforts to attract more publicity and it will also greatly encourage our army of volunteers.”
Now, the Spurs Legends are doing their bit to help raise funds for the cause with a two-day sports extravaganza. On Friday 1st June, the boys will be teeing off on a charity golf day at the picturesque Quinta Da Ria course, before lacing up their boots and pulling on the mandatory European white shorts for a Legends game against SC Olhanense Veterans on Saturday 2nd June.
Organisers are offering Spurs fans from the UK the chance to get involved by buying places on the golf day – and a handful of lucky supporters can even make a donation for the chance to play for the Legends team on the trip!
Evening functions are being held on both the Friday and the Saturday, giving fans the chance to mingle with their heroes after a hard afternoon’s sport.
To find out more, and to book tickets for the golf day, the Legends game and the evening functions, visit centrealgarve.org or call Andy Mahoney on 01279 816 126.
Tickets being offered for sale by the organisers are for the golf day, football match and evening functions only, and fans will need to arrange their own travel and accommodation separately.
