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KATE MCCANN kindly accepted The Resident’s invitation to attend
our charity lunch to mark International Missing
Children’s Day on May 25. Here she is seen
releasing yellow and green balloons, with
prayers and messages to all the missing children
in the world, outside the A Paleta |
THE RESIDENT would like to thank all those who participated and
offered donations for our charity lunch on Friday May 25 to
mark International Missing Children’s Day.
Everyone present was delighted that Kate McCann, Madeleine’s
mother, decided to accept The Resident’s invitation and make
a surprise visit to the event with two of her friends.
The event, which took place at the A Paleta Restaurant, was a
huge success with more than 50 guests raising around 500
euros for Instituto de Apoio à Criança, an organisation that
deals directly with cases of missing and abused children in
Portugal.
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In an emotional speech, The Resident’s Sheena Rawcliffe raised
awareness about all the missing children in the
world. |
The Resident’s Managing Director, Sheena Rawcliffe, gave a warm
and emotional speech, in which she reminded all those
present that the day was to remember all the missing
children around the world, but also to “continue the
momentum of publicity and awareness” around little
Madeleine’s disappearance. A warm welcome and a lot of
support were also given by all present to Kate McCann.
Dra. Elizabete, a psychologist at the Refúgio Aboim Ascenção in
Faro, gave a brief speech thanking everyone for supporting
the event. She was representing Dr. Luis Villas-Boas,
president of the children’s refuge, who was unable to attend
but sent his best wishes. Dra. Elizabete was accompanied by
colleague Dra. Verónica, sociologist for the Refúgio. The
Resident’s charity of the year, Lar de Crianças Bom
Samaritano, was represented by Dr. Rui Paulino Dias,
president of the children’s home in Alvor.
Those present were invited to write special prayers and messages
in cards that were tied to yellow (for remembrance) and
green (for hope) balloons. At 2pm, Kate McCann released them
into the air and, before leaving for another appointment,
thanked everyone for their support and ongoing commitment to
raising awareness about her daughter Madeleine.
After the balloon release, guests returned to their tables to
join in with the raffle, which proved popular with those
present. A special thank you goes to Cecilia Walton,
Margaret Walton, Lynne Smith and Filipe Carmo from the A
Paleta Restaurant, for donating the raffle prizes raising
136 euros.
As the lunch was such a success, The Resident
More than 50 guests attended the event.
has decided to make it a yearly event, to mark and raise
awareness for International Missing Children’s Day.
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