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We did it! By Pat Allen As stated in the last issue of Tomorrow magazine, the grand sum raised to replace an old and worn-out ambulance for the Lagos Bombeiros was just over €33,000. We needed about €8000 more than this so discussions were held with the AHBV de Lagos and the Camara de Lagos, with wonderful results. The Bombeiros found donors to make up the shortfall and a new ambulance is ordered and on its way. This is very fortunate as the ambulance that it is to replace died a death in February. This old workhorse had given 19 years of service and with almost 600,000 km under its bonnet, it is no wonder that it was past it sell-by date. In the last seven years, it averaged 3000 health and emergency service trips every year, needing to be in action 60 times a week and the latest problem with the engine needed another €3000 to be spent on repairs and so it was retired.
‘Our’ ambulance is to be a shiny white Mercedes with full equipment for injuries, for some medical emergencies and also for transporting patients who need to be on a stretcher between hospitals maybe to take them to Lisbon or further afield. When Lagos Camara became aware of our efforts, they looked at the age and state of the vehicles and came up with the marvellous decision to not only to help our efforts, but to also provide a muchneeded A1 emergency red ambulance, fully equipped which will deal with all emergencies. This type has a price tag of over €60k – beyond my abilities, I am afraid - and it will be in addition to the existing vehicles which will then bring the fleet up to 20 vehicles. This includes one INEM yellow ambulance plus eight red or white healthrelated vehicles and an additional 11 various fire appliances, the oldest being bought in 1988. So having some bang-up-to-date
transport will be a great help, I am sure. So, not ONE but TWO new vehicles for the Bombeiros Voluntarios de Lagos in 2017. I am absolutely thrilled – it was so daunting to attempt to raise the funds necessary to purchase one so what a huge bonus this is. I may have started it all (and nagged throughout the year to keep it in the public eye!) but it was the generosity of all who donated, did various events and freely gave their time that made it become a reality. Something I could only dream about. There will be an open day in May to which you are all invited to come along and see the fruits of your labours – indeed, the Bombeiros would be delighted if you all could attend. I will give further details in the May edition of the Tomorrow magazine but for this April edition a huge, huge THANK YOU from me and from the Bombeiros Voluntarios de Lagos.
Music festival gets go ahead An international music festival can go ahead in Lagos on May 20th because it managed to exceed its crowdfunding target of €10,000 which means local charities will also benefit. Organiser, Toby Millage, from the Surf Experience in Lagos said they had reached the target eight days before the campaign deadline. He said: “At the time of writing the crowdfunder has finished with donation payments still coming in but we hope to have raised around an extra €2500 on top of the €3000 for the four charities which are: Surfing for the Disabled, Lagos Voluntary FireService, Salvador's Cancer Campaign and Carlota's Dogs Home.”
“The Dub Pistols came to Lagos four years ago. They are a multiple award winning outfit – one of Europe’s busiest and best festival band. Reggae and Ska vibes that kills every crowd regardless of age or nationality.
Toby said: “We love the way that local causes have over taken this event especially everyone's focus on the environment and a sustainable surf tourism market place.” On the day the AESCV and all its members will co-ordinate beach cleaning on the days and flood the internet with the hashtag#algarvesurfbeachclean. Absolutely
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Following this, on the night, ECO CUPS will be used onsite whereby you can keep this throughout the show and beyond therefore leaving zero impact. Toby says he hopes that some bars and clubs will also have deals in place for these cups after the event so you simply keep going. Toby said: “We are super-stoked to announce all these live acts and DJs that are organically interwoven with Surf Experience history and have instantly wanted to be involved.
The event, which will bring international talent to the town, is being held to celebrate the Surf Experience turning 25.
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everyone can join in on any beach with another prize awarded on the night for best hashtag ‘shot.’
“Frankie Chavez. We met Frankie surfing Meia Praia, Lagos in boardies one summer's day. Little did we know he would become Portugal's biggest blues folk rocker. “The Cuban Brothers are friends of ours from our snowboarding days and blend sexy, soulful music, with jaw-dropping
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b-boy action and riotous comedy. The greatest entertainers we know. “Dedy Dread, a friend and fellow surfer, who entertains with his Reggae Funk Mash Up party bangers. “DJ Rhythm - another surfer and an up and coming DJ talent representing Lagos.” Toby says: “The Surf Experience was created for love rather than money. The same philosophy continues. We provide surf school, surf camp, surf guiding, high end surf coaching - long and short board, yoga, fitness, culture weeks and intertwine music and social events.” If you would like to find out more about the Surf Experience you can go to their website. You can find out more about Toby Millage and about the surf scene in Lagos 25 years ago by reading an interview with Toby which is on page 24 of this month’s magazine. www.algarvesurfschoolsassociation.com www.dubpistolsmusic.co.uk www.thecubanbrothers.com frankie.chavez.986 www.surf-experience.com