As a company—and personally—we like to do our bit for local charities, including in our second home over in the Algarve. Last year, we put on an event and managed to raise over 1,000 Euros, which went to two brilliant local causes: the girls’ refuge in Portimão (Casa de Nossa Senhora da Conceição) and the animal rescue centre in Albufeira, Tiny Shelter.
This year, I had a bit of a different idea. I’ve always been into my crafts—sewing, knitting, crochet—all that. So I thought, why not make a big blanket? It could either go to the homeless charity in Portimão, or we could auction or raffle it off and give the money to other local charities.
I spend loads of time in airports and on planes, so I’ve got pretty good at crocheting small squares without even looking. Over the last six months, while I’ve been travelling about, I’ve managed nearly 400 six-inch squares. I’ve been slowly (and quite painstakingly, to be honest) sewing them together to make a blanket that’s actually bigger than a king-size bed.
Together with some of the lovely locals in Ferragudo, we decided to hold a raffle through the charity shops in the village, letting them keep every penny from the ticket sales. We did the draw today and are just trying to track down the winner now… so I’ll let you know how that goes next week!
