Help of Denia & District

Report from the Chair 

Some of you may have heard our charity shop is on the move – but it’s not going very far. It will be just across the main road next to Kelly’s in La Xara. The ‘old’ shop is being turned into ‘The Help Centre’.
Our new premises for the shop are now on the way for completion. Our manageress, Martha, has had a mammoth task in overseeing the builders, deliveries, and all the officials with their clipboards needing that essential bit of paper, whilst continuing to run our shop along with a great bunch of ladies from our volunteers.  We are now coming to the closing stages, the floor is being professionally cleaned, then the painting and shelves and finally the floor polished.  I am pleased to report great support from our male volunteers.  We have 10 men who have volunteered to do the painting and fixing the shelves, saving quite a bit of money. It will be all hands to the racks so speak when we get the date to move in.

Then we can start on the Help Centre in earnest. We will need volunteers to work at the centre on a rota, from 10 in the morning until 4.30 in the afternoon, 5 days a week. So if you have never been called upon to do anything now's your chance.
Please ring me or send me an e-mail if you would like to know more.

Events/ Dates for your diary

Annual picnic

The annual picnic is taking place on Saturday 20 September at San Antonio picnic area at 1.30pm. By now you should have received a note by post or email.  Food will be provided at 6 euros per person, bring your own plates etc, and drinks and if you prefer, your own table and chairs, but there are about eight picnic benches there. We have a fun quiz whilst we lay the food table and after lunch a boules tournament The picnic spot is on the Montgo, on the mountain road that goes to Javea. From the coast road in Denia towards Las Rotas take the right hand fork, signed Javea. On the top take a left turn signed San Antonio, in about 2k there will be a sign on the left - HELP of DENIA. Everyone from our association is welcome. To book & help with catering, please leave your details at the hospital desk or in the HELP shop in La Xara or ring them on 966427044.

Volunteers meeting

The next volunteers meeting takes place on Saturday 25 October at Casa Holanda at 10.30 for 11am start.  Although we want to be fairly informal if you have any items you want to raise, please give notice of them to our secretary David Platt tel 966427064, email ku.oc.oohay@yttalpnosirp or to buzon 223, Finca Paris, 03700 Denia..

The address of the Casa Holanda is 'Azador de la Marjal s/n'.  It is quite easy to find - head north along the Las Marinas road, and just beyond km. 1, there are traffic lights with a slip road to the right.  (Sign for Dr. Ridder easily seen as you approach.)  You must take this slip road to cross the main road to the left and then immediately right (a restaurant called Café Solo is on the corner).  This is a road of only about 100 metres long, with lots of restaurants on the left. Turn left again and in 100 metres there you are. Park on the left, and Casa Holanda is on the right, next to the Tennis Club. Refreshments will be available at the end – an opportunity to mingle & meet others.

Christmas Fair

Once again this will be held at Casa Holanda on Saturday 15 November. Doors open at 10.30am.
Notices have already gone out asking for your support, but just to remind you, donations of gifts for the raffle and bottles for the tombola are very welcome. They can be dropped off at the shop in La Xara or brought to the volunteers meeting in October. Contact Steve Barrett for more details, offers of help on the day etc tel: 966475762 or email moc.liamg@niaps.asilevets

November Dinner Dance

To be held at El Cid restaurant, Benidoleig on 29 November. A glamorous start to the party season! So get out your party gear and dust off your dancing shoes for a good night out.
For details and tickets ring Mary on 965584146.  This will be a popular event and tickets are limited, so do book early. There will also be a special raffle, which includes an electric scooter worth 800 euros! Raffle tickets will be available in advance of the dinner dance.

Funding News

At the beginning of summer, four Help officers visited Fontilles to meet Dr. José Ramón Gómez and Sister Rosario as a follow up visit to assess other assistance that might be needed following the donation of a special bed and other equipment last year.  Fontilles, as well as being a centre for leprosy care, provides support and convalescence facilities for Denia hospital patients, co-ordinated between themselves and the hospital. We were very impressed with their work and it seems to be a very happy and tranquil place for the residents.

We also recently presented a special hoist to the Franciscan Brothers in Gandia who run a home for the terminally ill and destitute with hospital facilities for men of all nationalities and ages.

A garden party has been organised by U3A Javea, to raise funds and awareness of HELP, to be held on 16th September in the garden of a private residence.  This will include tombolas, raffles and garden fete type of activities.  Tickets were on sale at €5 per head to a limit of 150 tickets, and already all tickets have been sold. A big thank you to U3A Javea for their support.

Organisations that raise money for charity, have often made special donations to HELP of Denia. Ray Harris and some 90 members of Rotary International Fellowship Costa Blanca North is one of them, and to date they have donated over 12,000 euros, which has enabled us to buy 6 special beds, and other items. This is a fantastic effort and we acknowledge with gratitude their generosity and support for our work in the Marina Alta area.
This means we have been able to buy over 40 beds to date to help patient aftercare.

Volunteer news

Steve Barrett has joined the committee to become our official fundraising officer. Steve an ex RAF man has been in Spain for 5 years, he moved with his wife to Els Poblets and having been involved in charity events in the past he has been looking for the right voluntary work to take on. Luckily he came to HELP and agreed to take on the role of fundraising co-ordinator. His other interests include golf and offshore sailing.

New volunteers - A warm welcome to new volunteers who have recently joined us over the summer months.  Jennifer Parkinson, Gina Gonzales, Margaret Grimshaw, Leonard Bicheno, Lisa & Steve Barrett, Stephen Collett, Sheila Copes, Christine Redfearn, Isobel Hazel Duke, & Maria Theresa Lyons.
Contributions to the newsletter are always welcome. I can be contacted at se.aicini@silleainos or leave details in the charity shop.

Sonia Ellis
Editor