Simon Wade
CARING listeners of an English-language radio station have rallied round to donate furniture, electrical items and cleaning equipment to an urbanisation left with just ‘one working kitchen’ following the devastating floods last month.
El Saladar, in Almoradi, was so badly hit by the floods following September’s gota fria that families could not even cook themselves a warm meal, according to BIG Radio station manager, Richie Sparks.
Sparks immediately started making urgent please for help through his radio station for victims in the region when he learned of El Saladar’s plight, collecting thousands of euros and truck-fulls of furniture and bedding.
“We worked hard to get equipment and help to people in El Saladar and many other areas, along with One Way Services and Peter & Chris at the House of Furniture stores who donated thousands of euros of stock,” Sparks told the Olive Press.
The listeners’ appeals and fundraising events have in total raised over €12,500, leaving Sparks ‘overwhelmed’ with the kindhearted response.
As part of the relief effort, BIG Radio presenter Dean Alexanda organised a music festival on Monday at Bar La Unica, near Guardamar del Segura, where over €2,000 was raised from nine local artists giving up precious time to help.
This, added to €6,000 directly donated and raised from other events, has gone directly to families suffering after the devastating floods last month.
“The generosity from Brits and other expats has been overwhelming,” Sparks told the Olive Press.
“We’ve had people donate their own belongings, as well as cash, and all of the artists playing at fundraising events have donated their time and talent for free.”
House of Furniture branches from Los Montesinos and Rojales arranged a separate fundraiser at El Mundo in Benimar on Sunday, raising €4,500.
If you’d like to help or contribute to the fundraising work at BIG Radio or House or Furniture, please contact [email protected]
